North Korea Parades New Modular Multiple Rocket Launcher

North Korea has unveiled a new wheeled multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) that bears a strong resemblance to the US M142 HIMARS, signaling a strategic shift towards more mobile and modular artillery platforms. The system was displayed during a large-scale military parade in Pyongyang on October 10, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea.
The new launcher is mounted on a 6x6 truck chassis and features an armored cab and a self-loading, pod-based ammunition system, key design characteristics of the HIMARS and the South Korean K239 Chunmoo. While the US HIMARS typically carries a single pod of six 227 mm rockets, the new North Korean system was shown with a twin-pod configuration, significantly increasing its potential firepower per salvo. This dual-pod design is more analogous to the tracked M270 MLRS or the wheeled K239 Chunmoo.
Analysis of parade footage reveals the system's modularity, with different vehicles displaying various ordnance loadouts. One variant was equipped with two pods, each containing nine launch tubes, likely for 240 mm rockets. Another appeared configured to carry a mix of rocket pods and short-range ballistic missiles, similar to how HIMARS can fire both GMLRS rockets and a single ATACMS missile. This indicates a versatile design intended to engage targets at various ranges with different munitions.