The GBU-57 Bunker Buster and South Korea's Hyunmoo-5

The situation in Iran is escalating, particularly after Israel's recent airstrikes on the Natanz nuclear facility and the assassination of key military and scientific figures. Reports suggest that Israel's leaders are aware of the whereabouts of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and could eliminate him if they choose. This has led to calls for Iran to completely abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Khamenei, a veteran of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is believed to be hiding in a deep underground bunker. While Israel successfully targeted surface facilities at Natanz, the fortified underground site at Fordow, which houses enriched uranium, remains untouched due to its mountainous location. The missiles used in the Natanz attack are insufficient to penetrate such deep bunkers.

In this context, reports have emerged that former U.S. President Donald Trump is considering the use of American military assets to destroy Iran's underground facilities. The GBU-57 bunker buster has been prominently featured in global media as a potential weapon for this purpose.

The GBU-57, a Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), is designed to penetrate deep underground to destroy bunkers and tunnels. Weighing 13.4 tons, it is currently exclusive to the U.S. military, classified as a top-tier strategic weapon, and is not available for export, even to strategic allies like Israel.

While Israel has utilized the BLU-109 bunker buster during the 2023-2024 conflict with Hamas, its 870 kg warhead is deemed inadequate for penetrating the Fordow facility.

Contrary to some beliefs, South Korea does possess its own form of bunker buster. The country has developed the Hyunmoo-5, a massive ballistic missile often referred to as a 'monster missile.' Although it is a conventional short-range ballistic missile, it boasts destructive capabilities comparable to tactical nuclear weapons.

The Hyunmoo-5, which was first publicly displayed during the National Armed Forces Day ceremony in October 2022, has a warhead weight of 8 tons, significantly higher than the typical 1-ton warhead of conventional missiles. It is capable of striking targets buried up to 100 meters underground, making it a viable option for targeting North Korean command bunkers and nuclear facilities.

The missile is launched from a mobile platform and employs a 'cold launch' method, igniting the missile in mid-air for safety. The vehicle can maneuver diagonally, showcasing its advanced mobility. The South Korean military claims that the Hyunmoo-5 can deliver precise and high-impact strikes across all of North Korea.

With a range of approximately 300 km, the Hyunmoo-5 can reach key targets in North Korea, including the presidential palace in Pyongyang and nuclear sites in Yongbyon and Gangseon. If the warhead weight is reduced to 1 ton, the range could extend beyond 3,000 km.

Another significant weapon in South Korea's arsenal is the K239 Cheonmu multiple launch rocket system, designed to deliver a barrage of missiles over a wide area. The Cheonmu, named through a public contest in 2011, signifies 'covering the sky with rockets.' It can utilize various munitions, including guided and unguided rockets, and is capable of precision strikes with a margin of error as low as 15 meters.

As the world watches, it remains to be seen whether Trump will deploy the GBU-57 in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Additionally, one must consider how North Korea, which has historical ties to Iran, perceives the current situation. This newsletter concludes here, and if you found this discussion on South Korea's Hyunmoo-5 informative, please like and subscribe. Thank you.