The WS51200 is an extremely large and heavy

transporter erector launcher A transporter erector launcher (TEL) is a missile vehicle with an integrated tractor unit that can carry, elevate to firing position and launch one or more missiles. History Such vehicles exist for both surface-to-air missiles and surface-to-su ...

built by

Wanshan Special Vehicle Wanshan Special Vehicle, officially Hubei Sanjiang Space Wanshan Special Vehicle Co., Ltd (Ch:湖北三江航天万山特种车辆有限公司), is a truck and bus manufacturer in China. Its WS-series military trucks are used by the People’s Liber ...

in China. The WS51200 is one of the largest in the WS family of transport trucks and TELs. The size of the WS51200 allows it to carry intercontinental ballistic missiles. Despite being made in China, North Korea remains the only users of these vehicles.

Description

The WS51200 is a large 16x12 special wheeled transporter erector launcher which used some technology from the

Belarus Belarus,, , ; alternatively and formerly known as Byelorussia (from Russian ). officially the Republic of Belarus,; rus, Республика Беларусь, Respublika Belarus. is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by R ...

ian

Minsk Automobile Plant Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) ( be, Адкрытaе Акцыянэрнaе Таварыства «Мінскі аўтамабільны завод», ''Open JSC Minski Autamabilny Zavod'', russian: Минский автомобильный зав� ...

MZKT-79221 MZKT-79221 (russian: МЗКТ-79221) is a Soviet and Russian army 16x16 transporter-erector-launcher designed and developed by the MZKT in Belarus. Developed primarily for use as a RT-2PM2 Topol-M ICBM mobile launcher, the 79221 model is simila ...

vehicle. Its large size allows the WS51200 to carry extremely heavy loads of up to 80 tons. As such, the WS51200 could easily mount a nuclear-tipped ICBM. Unlike smaller Chinese TELs from Wanshan Special Vehicle, the WS51200 uses and is powered by the Cummins KTTA19-C700 turbocharged diesel engine rather than the German-made Deutz turbocharged diesel engine. This more powerful engine gives the WS51200 700 hp and a maximum range of a 1,000 km. The TEL is steerable on its first 3 and last 3 axles, which significantly reduces turning radius and makes it surprisingly maneuverable despite its size.

North Korean controversy

The WS51200 may have been deployed to North Korea by China to assist development and modernization of

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and shares borders with China and Russia to the north, at the Yalu River, Y ...

's nuclear and ballistic missile program. The

United States Treasury The Department of the Treasury (USDT) is the national treasury and finance department of the federal government of the United States, where it serves as an executive department. The department oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and t ...

accused Wanshan Special Vehicle of covertly aiding North Korea in terms of its mobile ballistic missile capability. China denied responsibility. In 2011, it was reported that eight WS51200 vehicles were exported to North Korea under the guise of it being a lumber transport in order to avoid UN sanctions. North Korea currently uses the WS51200 to mount the

Hwasong-13 The Hwasong-13 (), also known as Rodong-C () or KN-08 under the U.S. naming convention, is a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile believed to be under development by North Korea. The changes shown in the mock-up displayed in October 20 ...

and the Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Operators

Current operators

North Korea is the sole and current operator of the WS51200.

Former operators

While not an operator, The PRC is the chief manufacturer of the WS51200 TEL.

References