A video has been released of North Korea demonstrating their train-launched ballistic missiles (TLBM). According to the press release, the drill was aimed at testing whether the train launching system was viable, as well as improving their “capability for dealing intensive blow to the menacing forces in many places at the same time”.  

On the morning of September 15th, the drill took place to launch a ballistic missile that would strike 800 kilometers (500 miles) away into waters off the coast of North Korea. The drill was a success, striking the correct target. The government were pleased with the results and state that it is of “great significance in strengthening the war deterrent of the country”. 

Train launching systems for ballistic missiles have been an extremely popular platform over the years, owing to the cheap and reliable movement of multiple missiles. They are also moderately concealable, as demonstrated by the retracting roof in the video, and can enter caves, tunnels, and other covered areas to evade intelligence. Despite the upsides, they are still relatively trackable in a crisis and are perhaps not as effective as submarine-based platforms used by many countries currently.