This is a discussion on North Korea conducts Nuclear Test within the Missiles & WMDs forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; North Korea conducts nuclear test
North Korea has staged a "successful" underground nuclear test, the state-run KCNA agency reports.
The ...
7 kt ?? Could this mean that the device does not reach the intended yield ??
Seems this is still an enriched uranium device, not plutonium grade ones yet.
7 kt ?? Could this mean that the device does not reach the intended yield ??
Seems this is still an enriched uranium device, not plutonium grade ones yet.
Haha it could be 5 kt or 21 kt, +/- 0.2 on the scale, I just took a pot shot. But I'd think uranium enriched, yes. But that's on probable technology, not yield.
________________ "Of course, the whole point of a Doomsday Machine is lost, if you keep it a secret! Why didn't you tell the world, eh?"
So they have mastered basic fission based weapon. Looks like at least its efficent, the last one was a bit of fizzer.. This one looks stronger.. 15kt or better is ideal for this type of weapon.
I would assume Uranium. Cheaper and simplier. Still if they have a workable design I would imagine they will do the NK thing and start churning them out as quick as they can.
Now there really is a reason to have a BMD. As NK has a habit of developing then selling on technologies particularly if the US or it allies doesn't want someone to have it.
So our highness Kim has now a nuclear warhead. Japan, South Korea and the USA have been working on their BMDs for some reason.
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"The first criterioun in war remains decisive action. Everyone, from the highest commander down to the youngest soldier, must constantly be aware that inaction and neglect incriminate him more severely than any error in the choice of means.
I don't think it is over inflated. It really doesn't matter if it is 5kt or 10 kt or 20kt. Its a lot bigger than the previous test.
They now have a viable nuclear weapon. This sort of weapon would destroy large sections of a city.
Given they have the rocket technology as well, we really do have the first really rouge nation/dictator with ICBM and nuclear technology. A nation that has no issues with commericalising it, sharing technology with even more rouge and less stable nations.
Now instead of just south korea having to deal with the NK problem, Japan, US, China, Russia, Europe, etc are now able to be threatend.
I hope nations around NK really nit up a tight BMD system and that other nations also build simular systems. If I was Russia or China, I would be investing heavily in that sort of technology.
Good thing Australia announced 11-12 ships to be fitted with BMD systems or some sort.
They now have a viable nuclear weapon. This sort of weapon would destroy large sections of a city.
Given they have the rocket technology as well, we really do have the first really rouge nation/dictator with ICBM and nuclear technology.
Having a nuclear device it's differing thing with the capability to mount it on top of viable missiles.
If this's still an uranium enriched device, than it's still be quite crude that minituarized the devices for missiles warhead will take another steps to do that.
Besides their Teapodong still have problems, and they have to rely on much shorter range's rodong types missiles.
I think North Korea still needs a least another half decades to really can put warheads on viable missiles (considering they 'potentially' still have problems on both area).
Still time to push them on more acceptable behavioral attitudes
They can make a workable nuclear device yes, but this doesn't mean that they have the ability to use it as a workable weapons system. They should in the next few years gain the capability to fit nuclear warheads on their existing short range missiles. Even now that may have a dirty bomb capability that could be used against invading troops, most Western attention focuses on their long range ballistic missiles like Taepodong 2 but I read recently that it takes several days to be assembled and readied for launch making it near useless as a deterrent weapon. It may well just be a technology testbed for some advanced missile program.
The western world including Russia and China having problems with the fact that North Korea is making progress on their nuclear weapons program and overall weapons capabilities.
The past 20 years the western world did put heavy diplomatic and economic sanctions against North Korea and basically isolating it they also warned him atleast a 1000 times so that one day mister Kim starts to pay attention. (He probably will never lissen to what has been told to him for the past 20 years) but he is still able to make death-treaths against South Korea and other possible enemies inside his direct region and even outside it.
Regardless or he can or cannot starting a war against South Korea and her allies he sure is a real treath to the direct region and stability.
My question is:
Why is he allowed in the first place to come this far?
Because starting a war against him is not the preferred option but it might eventually come to it some day.
Everyone knows that the North korean people's army ground/navy/air and civil security forces are somewhat outdated but still he is a major treath.
What will eventually happen? i mean building the BOMB is one thing but i believe that his reunification war against South Korea will eventually start someday.
If you follow the news then you will see that inside and outside observers notice some skirmishes at the DMZ and that troop movements have increased overtime.
So again Why can he do this without being punished? and how mutch room is he having these days to prepare for a war?
To my opinion this guy is a real sick bastard and he should not have the option to come this far but the fact is he is real and it seems he will not giveup without a real fight, what actions must the western world and Russia/China take to bring this episode to a complete stop and avoid a war?
And what real options is Kim having at this point?
Because at the speed and direction we are heading now there can only be one outcome and thats a war with many many people suffering.
