Hwasong-7

It influenced the design of Pakistan's Ghauri-1 missile, as well as the Iranian Ghadr-110.

• Name — Hwasong-7 • Type — Medium-range ballistic missile • Origin — North Korea • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Is Missile — yes • Service — 1998−present • Used By — See #Operators • Production Date — 1990–present • Length — 15.6 m • Diameter — 1.25 m • Filling — Conventional, possibly nuclear • Filling Weight — 700-1000 kg (estimated) • Vehicle Range — 1000-1500 km (estimated) • Guidance — Inertial • Propellant — TM-185 and AK-27I • Altitude — 160 km (lofted trajectory) • Accuracy — 190-2000 m CEP

The "Hwasong-7" is the North Korean internal designation for the missile. The missile is also known by external designations from Western analysts, including Rodong-1, No Dong-1, Rodong, Nodong, Scud-D, Scud Mod-D and Nodong-A.

Hwasong-7 has a variant with white livery for reconnaissance satellite cameras testing. On 18 December 2022, North Korea launched two medium-range ballistic missiles from Sohae Satellite Launching Station, flying with an apogee of. According to North Korea, the test was organized by the National Aerospace Development Administration to evaluate reconnaissance satellite components, including camera and data transmission system. Released images included an photo indicating the missiles appeared to be a derivation from Hwasong-7 or Scud missile.

It is believed North Korea obtained R-17 designs from Egypt, and possibly modified designs from China, allowing them to reverse-engineer them into a larger and longer-distance weapon. United States reconnaissance satellites first detected this type in May 1990 at the Musudan-ri test launch facility, in northeastern North Korea. A test launch happened at the same time, but likely failed, since burn marks were captured by photographs at the launch site. Later, low-rate production started in January 1991 and North Korea conducted another test-fire of Hwasong-7 in May 1993. Also, between 1993 and 1994, North Korea had produced a sufficient number of Hwasong-7 missiles to be considered operational, and five years later, Hwasong-7 became deployed. North Korea test-fired Hwasong-7 missiles in 2006, 2009, as well as 2014, in which North Korea fires two missiles that flew. Although it has an estimated range of 1,000-1,500 km, launches in March 2014 flew only 650 km, as the missiles flew to an altitude of because of lofted trajectory. The missiles achieved a maximum speed of Mach. U.S. and South Korean Patriot PAC-2/3 interceptors are more specialized to hit ballistic missiles up to. On 5 September 2016, North Korea fired three missiles into the Sea of Japan, these missiles achieved about 1,000 km range. Initially, these missiles were believed to be Hwasong-7, however, it was later revealed that the missiles used for this launch were Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER). The United States strongly condemned the launch.

The Hwasong-7's technology has been exported to foreign nations (such as Iran and Pakistan) in secrecy on the basis of mutual exchange of technologies, with Iran being one of the largest beneficiaries of such technology. Successful variants were tested and deployed by Iran after developing the Shahab-3 which is roughly based on Hwasong-7. The May 1993 test of Hwasong-7 is believed to be observed by Iranian and Pakistani delegations. Some press reports (including The Sunday Telegraph, Jerusalem Post, and Janes) claimed that Libya signed a contract for a total of 50 Nodong systems in October 1999, with the first batch delivered in July 2000, however such rumors proved to be false when Libya voluntarily dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs in December 2003 and invited foreign inspectors to verify the disarmament process. In that same year, US inspectors learned that Iraq attempted to buy Nodong missiles, but the North Koreans never delivered the missiles and refused to refund the $10 million down payment.

• Iran − Ghadr-110 used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force. • North Korea − Used by the Korean People's Army Strategic Force. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), as of 2025, North Korea is possessing about 10 Hwasong-7 launchers. • Pakistan − Hatf 5 Ghauri used by the Army Strategic Forces Command.

• Egypt − Reportedly was interested in buying Nodong missiles, but photographic evidence only shows Scud-Bs or possibly Scud-Cs in use. • Ba'athist Syria − Developed a localized version of the Nodong missile. Reportedly received 50 missiles and seven TELs from North Korea in 2000. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Syrian Arab Army doesn't operate MRBMs as of 2024.

• Iraq − Prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Baghdad placed an order for Nodong missiles and made a $10 million down payment, but North Korea never delivered the missiles.