These seemingly ordinary trucks have an astonishing 12 tubes, apparently designed to hold 122 mm artillery rockets. They were skillfully hidden within the trucks' pop-up and slide-door roofs, rendering them virtually indistinguishable from their civilian counterparts. Even the dump truck crews wore yellow hardhats while brandishing their rifles, adding to the illusion of civilian functionality.
The new mobile rocket trucks were showcased during a Sept. 9 military parade to commemorate the hermit kingdom's 1948 founding. The trucks belonged to the Worker-Peasant Red Guards paramilitary unit, which featured heavily in the 75th anniversary parade. Alongside unit members, a fleet of tractors also pulled rocket-launchers and anti-tank guided missiles on trailers.
This exhibition mirrored a similar display from two years ago when Pyongyang showcased systems towing guided missile launchers. These tractors symbolize a tangible military tactic – employing civilian assets for full-scale warfare if a conflict arises.
This arsenal underscores the significant firepower possessed by North Korea's "civil defense," revealing a formidable hidden capability that could be employed in times of crisis. Moreover, these disguised trucks reflect a resurgence of classic deception tactics aimed at concealing military equipment on the battlefield.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's pursuit of extreme concealment methods aligns with its deterrence strategy that seeks to make it challenging, if not impossible, for preemptive strikes to eliminate all of North Korea's nuclear warheads and delivery systems. Notably, the hermit kingdom has previously tested short-range ballistic missiles fired from modified railcars and even launched missiles from within a lake, showcasing its commitment to deception as a defensive tactic.
Disguised launchers create a formidable challenge for adversaries. Identifying which trucks, train cars, or lake house launchers become a deadly shell game, and missing even one concealed launcher can have costly consequences. This strategy also ties up valuable intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) resources – resources, diverting the enemy's attention from other critical areas.
Given North Korea's investment in this technology for its paramilitary force's rocket launchers, it raises questions about its potential application for long-range systems like nuclear-armed cruise missiles.
New mobile rocket launchers come as Pyongyang readies for war
Recent developments in military technology have introduced new threats, including kamikaze drones, drone-deployed bomblets and air-to-ground precision-guided weapons. Given these, many military forces have emphasized the importance of keeping equipment hidden or confusing the enemy about their identities.
For instance, Taiwan has adopted a strategy of concealing its armored vehicles as construction equipment during exercises, aiming to maintain a tactical advantage in the event of a possible Chinese invasion. The U.S., Israel, and Russia have developed missile launchers disguised as shipping containers, allowing them to blend seamlessly into cargo decks or industrial areas for launching attacks.
Washington considers disguise and concealment tactics crucial for potential conflicts in the Pacific region. In recent state media reports, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has raised concerns about the specter of nuclear war and ordered military readiness to defend against a possible invasion. (Related: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warns of nuclear war, orders military to get ready for possible US-led invasion.)
Kim criticized joint naval exercises conducted by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, characterizing the situation as unstable and dangerous. He also referred to leaders of the three countries involved as "gang bosses" and criticized their defense cooperation against North Korea's nuclear program.
Tensions surrounding North Korea's evolving nuclear threats continue to escalate, with the U.S. and its allies conducting military exercises to address the situation, despite differing interpretations of their intent. These developments underscore the importance of concealment and strategic deception in the context of evolving global security challenges.
Visit WWIII.news for more news about a potential war with North Korea.
Watch this video about North Korea joining Russia in the fight against the United States.
This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.
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