The Pulhwasal-3-31 () is a North Korean submarine-launched cruise missile.
Description
Based on images released by North Korea, Pulhwasal-3-31 appears to be a long-range, land-attack cruise missile for attacking fixed targets on the ground. It is similar to Russia's Kalibr or United States's Tomahawk. It is possible that Pulhwasal-3-31 is a variant or an updated version of the Hwasal-1 and Hwasal-2 cruise missiles.
According to North Korea, it is a "strategic" cruise missile. As the missile's name contains number 31, it is highly likely that Pulhwasal-3-31 is able to carry the Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead. It may also have a version armed with a conventional warhead.
It is capable of flying for more than two hours. Its assumed range is ; however, the reported flight times of the second launch, revealed to be between 7,421 and 7,445 seconds, were consistent with a range.
It is possible that Pulhwasal-3-31 is designed to have other basing modes along with submarines.
The Pulhwasal-3-31 uses a complicated naming scheme, similar to Haeil-5-23. It is used to give an impression that North Korea has developed new weapons.
List of tests AttemptDateLocationNumber of missiles testedOutcomeAdditional notesReferences124 January 2024North Korea’s west coast"Several" (South Korea) First test-fire of Pulhwasal-3-31. According to North Korea, it is "under development". South Korea detected the launch of several cruise missiles toward North Korea's western sea at 7 a.m. local time.228 January 2024Near Sinpo2 (North Korea) "Several" (South Korea)These missiles flew for over 7,400 seconds. Kim Jong Un oversaw the test.
See also Hwasal-2 Kalibr Babur III Tomahawk Haeseong III References