US-Made Components Used In Missiles By Adversaries Like North Korea

South Korea tests solid-fuel rocket amid space race with North Korea

A recent investigation by Conflict Armament Research, a UK-based organization, has revealed concerning findings regarding the sourcing of components for ballistic missiles used by adversarial nations such as North Korea and Iran. The investigation focused on a ballistic missile fired by Russia on Kharkiv, Ukraine, last month, uncovering that a significant portion of the missile's components were of US origin.

According to the report, 75% of the components in the missile were US-made, with 16% sourced from Europe and only 9% from Asia. This indicates that North Korea has been able to acquire these components and integrate them into their weapons systems rapidly. The investigation further highlighted that many of these components were manufactured between 2021 and 2023, suggesting a swift supply chain process that facilitated the creation and deployment of the missile.

While US companies are not directly supplying weapons components to adversarial nations, they are inadvertently providing critical systems necessary for missile functionality. Components such as circuit boards, microelectronics, and electrical parts are essential for the operation of these missiles. Once these components enter the international market, countries like North Korea and Iran have been able to access and incorporate them into their weaponry.

75% of missile components were US-made, facilitating rapid weapon development.

Conflict Armament Research uncovers US components in missiles of North Korea and Iran.

US companies indirectly supply critical components for missile functionality.

Conflict Armament Research had previously examined an Iranian drone used by Russia in Ukraine and found that over 80% of its components were of US origin, underscoring the recurring issue of US components being utilized in adversarial weapons systems. The complexity of the international market makes it challenging for the US to prevent these components from reaching hostile nations, ultimately posing a significant security concern.

The ability of adversarial nations to acquire and integrate US-made components into their weapons systems highlights the need for enhanced oversight and control measures to prevent the proliferation of critical technologies. Addressing this issue will require coordinated efforts among governments, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders to safeguard against the misuse of advanced technologies in conflict zones.