Missile Hwasong-11D is the smaller variant of Hwasong-11A, with the missile being estimated to be long, wide and has a launch mass of nearly . While Hwasong-11D is claimed to be the smallest
short-range ballistic missile of North Korea, as well as the improvement of frontline long-range artillery units's firepower. Hwasong-11D follows a near-ballistic trajectory, with approximately apogee. This low apogee, combined with its short flight time and terminal maneuverability, makes it difficult for traditional
missile defense systems to detect and intercept. Moreover, the missile’s improved accuracy reduces the number of missiles required to attack the target. Also, Hwasong-11D can have better survivability against
missile defenses if the missile is equipped with smaller and lighter tactical nuclear warheads while retaining the Hwasong-11A's maneuverability, thus allowing it to threaten shorter range targets. Assuming a weight of , it is possible that Hwasong-11D can be carried by
Korean People's Army Air Force's
Harbin H-5/
Ilyushin Il-28 after necessary modifications. According to German analyst Norbert Brügge, Hwasong-11D is a derivative from
KN-25 and Hwasong-11/
OTR-21 Tochka. He evaluates the missile to be a type of
multiple rocket launcher, despite North Korean official claim of
tactical ballistic missile.
Launcher Basic type According to North Korea, the Hwasong-11D missile system, including the launcher, was personally designed by
Kim Jong Un as a "new pivotal attack weapon" of North Korean forces. The basic-type TEL is a 3-axle truck, It is estimated to be long and wide. Each basic-type launcher can deploy up to four Hwasong-11D missiles. A
HIMARS-like vehicle, it has two modules, each of which can carry a single Hwasong-11D missile, or
multiple launch rockets of 122 mm and 240 mm diameters.
Naming North Korean state media refers to Hwasong-11D as
Hwasongpho-11 Ra (). The
Korean Central News Agency first mentioned Hwasong-11D directly in April 2026, The official designation can also be romanized as
Hwasong-11Ra,
Hwasong-11La or
Hwasongpho-11D. However, in its earlier launches, occurred between 2022 and 2024, the Hwasong-11D was called "tactical guided weapon" and later, "tactical ballistic missile", instead of its official designation. ==History==