N.Korea shows off new transporter erector launcher

NORTH Korea has shown off its new 12-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL) in photos released by the country’s official news agency, Korean Central News Agency. The photos showed the supreme leader, Kim Jong-un inspecting the new vehicle during a visit to a military industrial facility.

Appearing to be a 12-axle TEL which is a considerable upgrade in comparison to previous 11-axled vehicles used to carry the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). A 12-axle design would provide enhanced mobility, therefore allowing a quicker and easier missile deployment. With the new vehicle, intelligence officials speculate that it could be for carrying a new, next-generation of missiles longer than existing models, something that North Korea could likely be working on.

When asked to comment on the new vehicle, the Pentagon’s press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said, ” I don’t have any comment to provide in terms of particular intelligence or to talk about North Korean capabilities, other than, as you well know, it’s not unusual for North Korea to use media reports and imagery to try to telegraph, you know, to the world.”-shp/adj/dl (Pix:KCNA)