North Korea reveals 12-axle TEL

This render shows the 11-axle TEL carrying the Hwaseong-16 ICBM. North Korea has now displayed a new 12-axle TEL possibly for its new Hwaseong-18 ICBM. (Nathan J Hunt)

North Korea's state news agency has shown an image of what appears to be a new 12-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle. The vehicle is presumably for a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The TEL was shown by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 8 September in a report about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to the country's National Defense Industry Enterprise.

An accompanying KCNA report made no reference to the TEL but referred to “newly developed and produced military equipment”. KCNA also reported that Kim highlighted a requirement to the National Defense Industry Enterprise to increase “the level of scientific modernisation of military production”.

The image of the TEL shows Kim standing next to the vehicle with a group of defence industry officials. The National Defense Industry Enterprise operates under the Second Economic Committee and reports to the State Affairs Commission (SAC), which is chaired by Kim.

North Korea is not known to operate a 12-axle TEL. Its largest known TEL is the 11-axle vehicle from which it test-launched in 2022 and 2023 the Hwaseong-16 and Hwaseong-17 ICBMs. The Hwaseong-15 ICBM – tested in 2017, 2022, and 2023 – was launched from a nine-axle TEL.

Commenting on the new TEL, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said in a press briefing on 9 September, “It's not unusual for North Korea to use media reports and imagery to try to telegraph, you know, to the world.”