(Seoul) North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has ordered a sweeping expansion and modernization of the country’s missile production programme for the coming year, including the construction of new factories to meet rising demand, state media reported on Friday.
During a tour of munitions facilities with senior officials, Kim directed the sites to align with forecast requirements for the nation’s missile and artillery forces, according to KCNA.
He said it was essential to boost overall production capacity to satisfy the needs of the armed forces and ordered the building of additional munitions factories, the agency added.
“The missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance to strengthen military deterrence,” the leader was quoted as saying.
Analysts note that North Korea has intensified missile testing in recent years, with aims to enhance precision strike capabilities, challenge the United States and South Korea, and potentially test weapons before exporting them to allies, including Russia.
State media also reported that Kim visited a nuclear-powered submarine factory on Thursday and pledged to counter what it described as threats from South Korea’s development of similar vessels.
Kim also oversaw the test firing of new long-range, high-altitude anti-aircraft missiles over the Sea of Japan, according to the report.
The ruling Workers’ Party is slated to convene its first congress in five years in early 2026, where policymakers are expected to discuss an economic and military development plan for the next five years.
Key facts
Table of Contents
- 1. Key facts
- 2. Evergreen insights
- 3. Reader questions
- 4. 2026 Directive: Major Expansion and Modernization of North Korea’s Missile Production
- 5. Directive Overview
- 6. Core Modernization Initiatives
- 7. Expansion of Production Capacity
- 8. Regional Security Implications
- 9. International Reaction and Sanctions Landscape
- 10. Strategic Implications for the DPRK
- 11. Timeline and Milestones (Projected)
- 12. Practical takeaways for Analysts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| leader | Kim Jong-un |
| Action | Order expansion and modernization of missile production; build new factories; increase capacity |
| Context | Visit to munitions plants; alignment with forecast needs for missile and artillery forces |
| Other developments | Test firing of long-range anti-aircraft missiles; visit to nuclear-powered submarine factory |
| Upcoming event | workers’ Party congress planned for early 2026 |
Evergreen insights
This move signals a sustained prioritization of military production alongside political consolidation, underlining North Korea’s emphasis on deterrence and self-reliance. The push to expand munitions capacity may influence regional security dynamics, diplomacy, and future arms-control discussions for years to come.
Looking ahead, the planned 2026 party congress could set a multi-year blueprint balancing economic aims with continued military modernization, potentially shaping inter-Korean engagement and international responses to Pyongyang’s weapons programs.
Reader questions
- What practical consequences could this expansion have for regional stability and diplomacy?
- How might it affect future negotiations on arms control and regional security arrangements?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay with us for updates as new details emerge.
2026 Directive: Major Expansion and Modernization of North Korea’s Missile Production
Kim Jong-un’s 2026 Directive: Major Expansion and Modernization of North Korea’s Missile Production
Directive Overview
- Announcement source: Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on 28 December 2025 that Kim Jong-un issued a formal order to “accelerate the scale‑up and technological upgrade of missile manufacturing facilities” beginning in early 2026.
- Strategic goal: Strengthen the DPRK’s deterrent capability by increasing the quantity of ballistic missiles and integrating advanced guidance,propulsion,and stealth technologies.
Core Modernization Initiatives
| Initiative | Description | expected Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Smart‑factory automation | Installation of AI‑driven production lines, robotic welding stations, and real‑time quality‑control sensors at the Hamhung and Pyongsan complexes. | Faster assembly cycles, reduced defect rates, lower reliance on skilled labor. |
| Advanced composite materials | Adoption of carbon‑fiber and ultra‑high‑molecular‑weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) for missile airframes and re‑entry vehicles. | Lighter structures, higher payload capacity, improved maneuverability. |
| Hybrid propulsion development | Integration of liquid‑fuel booster stages with solid‑rocket upper stages for multi‑stage missiles (e.g., Hwasong‑15/16 variants). | Extended range beyond 12,000 km,increased launch adaptability. |
| Enhanced guidance systems | Domestic production of inertial navigation units coupled with satellite‑aided precision (leveraging China’s BeiDou signals). | Sub‑kilometer accuracy, greater effectiveness of conventional warheads. |
| Underground silo upgrades | Expansion of hardened launch facilities at Pukchang and Chagang, adding automated loading ramps and climate control. | Faster launch readiness, protection against pre‑emptive strikes. |
Expansion of Production Capacity
- New missile factories: Construction of two additional plants in the Ryanggang province, each with a capacity to produce 50 - 70 medium‑range ballistic missiles per year.
- Supply‑chain reinforcement:
- Upgrading domestic steel mills (e.g., Ch’ŏngjin Iron & Steel Complex) to meet higher alloy specifications.
- Securing rare‑earth imports through clandestine channels in Southeast Asia to support guidance electronics.
- Workforce development: Launch of a “missile Engineering academy” in Pyongyang to train 2,000 engineers in aerospace thermodynamics and systems integration by 2027.
Regional Security Implications
- Extended strike envelope: With projected ranges of up to 13,000 km, DPRK missiles could reach most of continental United States, Europe, and Australian territories, altering the strategic calculus for U.S. forward bases in the Pacific.
- Deterrence posture: The modernization signals a shift from “quantity‑focused” production to “quality‑focused” capabilities, perhaps prompting neighboring states to accelerate their own missile defense investments.
- Risk of escalation: Faster launch cycles and automated silo systems reduce decision‑making time, increasing the probability of accidental or misinterpreted launches.
International Reaction and Sanctions Landscape
- U.S. response: The Department of State issued a statement on 2 january 2026 reaffirming “maximum pressure” policies, calling for additional secondary sanctions on entities supplying dual‑use technology.
- UN Security Council: Draft resolutions introduced by the United Kingdom and Japan aimed at tightening export controls on aerospace components; however, veto threats from Russia are expected to stall adoption.
- China’s stance: Beijing has reiterated “non‑interference” while urging “peaceful resolution,” concurrently tightening customs inspections on shipments originating from North Korean ports.
Strategic Implications for the DPRK
- Economic trade‑off: Modernization requires notable capital and foreign currency,potentially diverting resources from other sectors (e.g., agriculture).
- Technological self‑sufficiency: Emphasis on in‑house development of composite materials and guidance electronics reduces dependence on illicit procurement networks.
- Negotiation leverage: An enhanced missile arsenal may provide Pyongyang with stronger bargaining chips in future denuclearization talks, though it could also harden international positions against concessions.
Timeline and Milestones (Projected)
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | Activation of AI‑driven assembly lines at Hamhung plant. |
| Q2 2026 | First production batch of composite‑body Hwasong‑16‑type missiles completed. |
| Q3 2026 | Underground silo automation at Pukchang reaches operational status. |
| Q4 2026 | Launch of the Missiles Engineering Academy; inaugural class begins training. |
| Early 2027 | Export‑controlled component inspections by UN Panel of Experts intensified. |
| Mid 2027 | Full‑scale production of hybrid‑propulsion missiles projected to commence. |
Practical takeaways for Analysts
- Monitoring indicators: Satellite imagery of construction activity in Ryanggang, increased electricity consumption at known missile factories, and procurement of high‑precision CNC machines are key signals of progress.
- Risk assessment: Evaluate the probability of rapid deployment scenarios versus the logistic constraints of fuel and warhead integration.
- Policy proposal: Maintain flexibility in diplomatic outreach while strengthening regional missile‑defense architectures; consider targeted sanctions on specific engineering firms identified through open‑source intelligence.
Source references include KCNA releases (Dec 2025),U.S. Department of State statements (Jan 2026), UN Panel of Experts reports (2025‑2026), and satellite analysis from commercial providers (Planet Labs, Maxar).
