North Korean-Iranian cooperation in ballistic missile development

Abstract

North Korea and Iran have cooperated on ballistic missile and space launch technology for nearly three decades. The technology has included short, medium and intermediate range missile technology mainly going from North Korea to Iran. Currently both countries are probably on development paths to field a limited nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile deterrent capability for regime security. North Korea is taking the lead with a liquid fuel rocket approach and Iran is leading in the solid fuel rocket approach. The probable ultimate, but likely distant, goal of these programs is to put the continental U.S. under the threat of a limited nuclear attack. It is difficult to come to any other conclusion when the currently deployed missile systems in Iran and North Korea already put their regional enemies at risk. (Note, this paper was written before the 15 April 2012 parade where North Korea displayed six mobile three stage liquid fuel probable ICBMs, designated KN-08.)