ID :
23452
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 12:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23452
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea uses aged Russian aircraft to fire missiles: source
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korea used an aging Russian-made aircraft to fire two short-range missiles earlier this week, a source privy to North Korean affairs said Thursday, surprising officials here who believed that equipping the plane to launch missiles was technically impossible.
The source said the North appeared to have used an AN-2 aircraft, but others
argued against the account.
"I wonder if that is technically possible," Won Tae-jae, a spokesman for the
Defense Ministry, told reporters.
North Korea was earlier reported to have fired two short-range missiles on
Tuesday in the West Sea, but officials here had been unable to confirm whether
the missiles were fired from the ground or a ship.
The AN-2 Antonov is a Russian-made light single-engine biplane that has a maximum
cargo capacity of about 1.5 tons.
"It is just technically not possible for the small AN-2 to lift off while
carrying 2-ton missiles and to fire them in air," an Air Force official said,
asking not to be identified. "It is simply impossible to equip an AN-2 with the
Styx missiles as its wings are only a few feet from the ground."
The official believed the North could have instead used IL-28 jet bombers, which
are also Russian-made, to fire what appeared to be the heavy, anti-ship KN-01
missile. The weapon weighs about 2.3 tons.
IL-28, he said, "are completely capable of carrying and firing the missiles."
Meanwhile, sources here on Thursday said the communist nation may be preparing to
fire up to 10 short-range missiles in the West Sea.
Officials here have said the North's firing of two short-range missiles this week
appeared to be a part of a regular exercise to check the performance of its
munitions stockpile.
They noted, however, that if such a launch were to occur, it would be the first
time for the communist nation to fire more than 10 missiles in such a short period
of time.
The North has declared a no-entry area in the West Sea effective until Wednesday,
according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korea used an aging Russian-made aircraft to fire two short-range missiles earlier this week, a source privy to North Korean affairs said Thursday, surprising officials here who believed that equipping the plane to launch missiles was technically impossible.
The source said the North appeared to have used an AN-2 aircraft, but others
argued against the account.
"I wonder if that is technically possible," Won Tae-jae, a spokesman for the
Defense Ministry, told reporters.
North Korea was earlier reported to have fired two short-range missiles on
Tuesday in the West Sea, but officials here had been unable to confirm whether
the missiles were fired from the ground or a ship.
The AN-2 Antonov is a Russian-made light single-engine biplane that has a maximum
cargo capacity of about 1.5 tons.
"It is just technically not possible for the small AN-2 to lift off while
carrying 2-ton missiles and to fire them in air," an Air Force official said,
asking not to be identified. "It is simply impossible to equip an AN-2 with the
Styx missiles as its wings are only a few feet from the ground."
The official believed the North could have instead used IL-28 jet bombers, which
are also Russian-made, to fire what appeared to be the heavy, anti-ship KN-01
missile. The weapon weighs about 2.3 tons.
IL-28, he said, "are completely capable of carrying and firing the missiles."
Meanwhile, sources here on Thursday said the communist nation may be preparing to
fire up to 10 short-range missiles in the West Sea.
Officials here have said the North's firing of two short-range missiles this week
appeared to be a part of a regular exercise to check the performance of its
munitions stockpile.
They noted, however, that if such a launch were to occur, it would be the first
time for the communist nation to fire more than 10 missiles in such a short period
of time.
The North has declared a no-entry area in the West Sea effective until Wednesday,
according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
