New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
North Korea launches solid-fuelled ICBM for the first time
Photos released by state media showed the maiden launch of the Hwasong-18 ICBM on 13 April. (Photo: KCNA)
In quick speed, North Korea has performed its maiden launch of a solid-fuelled ICBM after parading it just two months ago.
North Korea reached another milestone in its nuclear ambitions by successfully launching a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time on 13 April.
Pyongyang called the new-type ICBM a Hwasong-18. The missile followed a lofted trajectory after being launched from a nine-axle transporter-erector-launcher (TEL).
Kim Jong-un was in attendance with his daughter, who is now a constant fixture at such missile launches.
State media said: ‘The test firing was aimed at confirming the performance of the high-thrust solid-propellant multistage motors, the stage separation technology and the reliability of various functional control systems, and appraising the military utility of
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