# Bulsae-4

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North Korean anti-tank guided missile

Bulsae-4 Type Anti-tank guided missile Place of origin North Korea Service history Used by North Korea Russia Wars Russo-Ukrainian war Production history Designed 2010 (combat vehicle) 2018 (missile) Manufacturer North Korea Specifications Operational range 10–25 km (6.2–15.5 mi) Guidance system Electro-optical seeker combined with command guidance Launch platform Armoured launcher Pickup truck launcher

The **Bulsae-4**[a] ([Korean](/source/Korean_language): 불새-4; lit. 'Phoenix-4') is a [North Korean](/source/North_Korea) [anti-tank guided missile](/source/Anti-tank_guided_missile).

It is considered to be the "most advanced anti-tank weapon systems in the world", according to North Korean state media.[2]

## Design

The Bulsae-4 bears external similarities to [Israel](/source/Israel)'s [Spike](/source/Spike_(missile))[1] and also possesses technological features similar to [United States](/source/United_States)'s [FGM-148 Javelin](/source/FGM-148_Javelin) and [China](/source/China)'s [HJ-10](/source/HJ-10).[3] It features non-line-of-sight (NLOS) attack capability,[4] allowing Bulsae-4 to be used from cover. However, it relies on reconnaissance drones to spot targets.[5] Bulsae-4 uses [electro-optical seeker](/source/Contrast_seeker) combined with [command guidance](/source/Command_guidance), allowing the missile to be controlled using video signal, optical cable or radio connection. Its range is estimated to be 10–25 km (6.2–15.5 mi).[6]

Bulsae-4 is designed as a module weapon system that can be mounted on a 6x6 armoured vehicle,[7] or a six-tube pickup truck chassis. A shoulder-mounted variant is also under development.[3] The 6x6 wheeled combat vehicle is based on the M-2010 armored personnel carrier,[8] estimated to be 7.65 m (25.1 ft) long and 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) wide. It can accommodate up to eight missile tubes.[9]

According to North Korea, the Bulsae-4, which is officially called "tactical guided weapon", has sufficient military value to replace [multiple rocket launchers](/source/Multiple_rocket_launcher). It is planned to be deployed within key military units in the [Korean People's Army](/source/Korean_People's_Army) starting from the first half of 2026.[10]

## History

The combat vehicle of Bulsae-4 was introduced in 2010.[9] Around 2018, the missile was introduced. Since then, Bulsae-4 has been displayed in military parades and exhibitions.[8]

### Mass production

It was reported that Bulsae-4 has entered mass production.[11] During an inspection to a munition factory on 3 January 2026,[12] North Korean leader [Kim Jong Un](/source/Kim_Jong_Un) ordered to expanded production of Bulsae-4 by 2.5 times.[13][14]

### Russian use

The Bulsae-4 was reported to be used by Russian forces during [Russo-Ukrainian war](/source/Russo-Ukrainian_war_(2022%E2%80%93present)), as it was retrieved from the battlefield by Ukrainian intelligence in late 2024.[15] In August 2024, it was first spotted in Ukraine,[7] as an image captured from a Ukrainian drone purportedly showed a Bulsae-4 vehicle operating near [Kharkiv](/source/Kharkiv).[16]

In December 2024, Ukraine claimed to destroy a Bulsae-4 vehicle,[17] with a Ukrainian media outlet (*[Euromaidan Press](/source/Euromaidan_Press)*) releasing video of the destruction.[18]

## See also

- [Spike (missile)](/source/Spike_(missile))

- [FGM-148 Javelin](/source/FGM-148_Javelin)

- [HJ-10](/source/HJ-10)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Western analysts has called Bulsae-4 as **Spike Kim**, a mocking nickname for this missile.[1]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-viettimes_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-viettimes_1-1) Thu Thủy (9 August 2024). ["Khám phá hệ thống tên lửa chống tăng cực kỳ lợi hại mà Triều Tiên cung cấp cho Nga"](https://viettimes.vn/kham-pha-he-thong-ten-lua-chong-tang-cuc-ky-loi-hai-ma-trieu-tien-cung-cap-cho-nga-post177168.html) [Discover the extremely potent anti-tank missile system that North Korea supplied to Russia]. *VietTimes* (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Cousin, Victor (6 January 2026). ["Guerre en Ukraine : « l'un des missiles les plus avancés », qu'est-ce que le système nord-coréen Bulsae-4 utilisé par les Russes ?"](https://www.leparisien.fr/international/ukraine/guerre-en-ukraine-un-des-systemes-les-plus-avances-quest-ce-que-le-missile-russe-bulsae-4-produit-par-la-coree-du-nord-06-01-2026-73SVKOP2HJHOTK7AUZJ2NLEGZY.php) [War in Ukraine: "One of the most advanced missiles," what is the North Korean Bulsae-4 system used by the Russians?]. *[Le Parisien](/source/Le_Parisien)* (in French). Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bld_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bld_4-1) Tuệ Nhân (7 January 2026). ["Triều Tiên sản xuất hàng loạt tên lửa diệt tăng Bulsae-4 tầm bắn gấp đôi Javelin"](https://baolamdong.vn/trieu-tien-san-xuat-hang-loat-ten-lua-diet-tang-bulsae-4-tam-ban-gap-doi-javelin-416746.html) [North Korea is mass-producing Bulsae-4 anti-tank missiles with twice the range of the Javelin]. *Báo Lâm Đồng* (in Vietnamese). Lam Dong Newspaper and Radio, Television. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Thành Vinh (7 January 2026). ["Triều Tiên sản xuất hàng loạt tên lửa Bulsae-4 với khả năng tấn công đột nóc"](https://baonghean.vn/en/trieu-tien-san-xuat-hang-loat-ten-lua-bulsae-4-voi-kha-nang-tan-cong-dot-noc-10318921.html) [North Korea is mass-producing Bulsae-4 missiles, which are capable of striking targets deep within the roof]. *Báo Nghệ An*. Nghe An Newspaper and Radio, Television. Retrieved 24 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Abrams, A. B. (6 August 2024). ["North Korea Closes Russia's Anti-Tank Missile Gap With Ukraine"](https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/north-korea-closes-russias-anti-tank-missile-gap-with-ukraine/). *[The Diplomat](/source/The_Diplomat_(magazine))*. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-vnn_7-0)** Đào Cảnh (28 August 2025). ["Bí mật công nghệ tên lửa chống tăng Bulsae-4: Vũ khí thay đổi cục diện xung đột Nga-Ukraine"](https://vietnamnet.vn/ten-lua-chong-tang-bulsae-4-trieu-tien-thay-doi-cuc-dien-xung-dot-nga-ukraine-2436095.html) [Technology secrets of Bulsae-4 ATGM: The weapon that can change the situation of Russo-Ukrainian conflict]. *[VietNamNet](/source/VietNamNet)* (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 15 September 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-skds_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-skds_8-1) Xuân Minh (6 January 2026). ["Tên lửa 'bắn rồi quên' của Triều Tiên trưởng thành từ chiến trường Ukraine"](https://suckhoedoisong.vn/ten-lua-ban-roi-quen-cua-trieu-tien-truong-thanh-tu-chien-truong-ukraine-169260106154824088.htm) [North Korea's 'fire-and-forget' missiles matured on the battlefields of Ukraine]. *Sức khỏe và Đời sống* (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cni_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cni_9-1) Weichert, Brandon J. (27 August 2025). ["How North Korea's Bulsae-4 Is Redefining Anti-Tank Attacks Against Ukraine"](https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/how-north-koreas-bulsae-4-redefining-anti-tank-attacks-against-ukraine-bw-082725). *[Center for the National Interest](/source/Center_for_the_National_Interest)*. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-odin_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-odin_10-1) ["Bulsae 4 (M-2018) North Korean 6x6 Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Combat Vehicle"](https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/02cad1626d206c9df953369faba2e4c9). *OE Data Integration Network*. [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army). 20 December 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-qngtv_11-0)** ["Triều Tiên mở rộng năng lực sản xuất vũ khí dẫn đường chiến thuật"](https://quangngaitv.vn/trieu-tien-mo-rong-nang-luc-san-xuat-vu-khi-dan-duong-chien-thuat-6512941.html) [North Korea to expand production of tactical guided weapon]. *Quảng Ngãi TV* (in Vietnamese). Quang Ngai Newspaper and Radio, Television. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Nguyễn Tám (5 January 2026). ["Triều Tiên đưa Bulsae 4 vào sản xuất hàng loạt"](https://1thegioi.vn/trieu-tien-dua-bulsae-4-vao-san-xuat-hang-loat-243279.html) [North Korea puts Bulsae-4 into mass production]. *Một Thế Giới* (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Major Munitions Factory"](http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/37532209a1383aea6448dd9da90c55a4.kcmsf). *[Korean Central News Agency](/source/Korean_Central_News_Agency)*. 4 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Bạch Dương (6 January 2026). ["Triều Tiên tăng gấp 2,5 lần sản lượng tên lửa chống tăng Bulsae-4"](https://anninhthudo.vn/trieu-tien-tang-gap-25-lan-san-luong-ten-lua-chong-tang-bulsae-4-post634647.antd) [North Korea to increase production of Bulsae-4 anti-tank missiles by 2.5 times]. *An ninh Thủ đô* (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Xuân Thịnh (5 January 2026). ["Triều Tiên mở rộng năng lực sản xuất vũ khí dẫn đường chiến thuật"](https://dnrt.vn/chi_tiet-173238) [North Korea to expand production of tactical guided weapon]. *DNRT* (in Vietnamese). Da Nang Newspaper and Radio, Television. Retrieved 24 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Newdick, Thomas (13 January 2025). ["North Korean Air Defense System Revealed In Ukraine By Russian Friendly Fire Strike"](https://www.twz.com/land/north-korean-air-defense-system-revealed-in-ukraine-by-russian-friendly-fire-strike). *The War Zone*. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Manley, Cameron (1 August 2024). ["A North Korean anti-tank missile vehicle appears to be operating near Ukraine. It may be the 1st armored vehicle Pyongyang has sent Russia"](https://www.businessinsider.com/north-korean-anti-tank-missile-vehicle-appears-operating-ukraine-russia-2024-8). *[Business Insider](/source/Business_Insider)*. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Lee, Shin-young (21 February 2025). [북한군 대전차 무기 '불새', 우크라전 쿠르스크 전선에 복귀](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250221097500009) [The 'Bulsae' anti-tank weapon of North Korea returned to Kursk front in Russo-Ukrainian war]. *[Yonhap News Agency](/source/Yonhap_News_Agency)* (in Korean). Retrieved 24 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Bae, Jae-seong (2 December 2024). ["北대전차무기 '불새-4' 파괴"…우크라 '드론 부대' 영상 공개](https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25296534) [Ukraine released video of the destruction of North Korea's anti-tank weapon Bulsae-4, flimed by a drone unit]. *[The JoongAng](/source/JoongAng_Ilbo)* (in Korean). Retrieved 24 May 2026.

v t e Missiles of North Korea Short-range 2K6 Luna 9K52 Luna-M Hwasong-5 Hwasong-6 Hwasong-11 (Original 11A 11B 11C 11D 11E) KN-18US KN-25US OTR-21 Tochka Medium-range Hwasong-7 Hwasong-8 Hwasong-9 Hwasong-10 Hwasong-11E Hwasong-12A Pukguksong-2 Intermediate-range Hwasong-8 Hwasong-10 Hwasong-12 Hwasong-12A Hwasong-12B Hwasong-16A Hwasong-16B Taepodong-1US ICBM Hwasong-13 (KN-08US KN-14US) Hwasong-14 Hwasong-15 Hwasong-17 Hwasong-18 Hwasong-19 Hwasong-20 Taepodong-2US SLBM Pukguksong-1 Pukguksong-3 Pukguksong-4 Pukguksong-5 Pukguksong-6 Hwasong-11S Cruise missiles C-602 C-802 Hwasal-1 Hwasal-1 Ra-3 Hwasal-2 Pulhwasal-3-31 HY-1 P-15 Termit P-20 Anti-ship missiles C-602 C-802 Hwasal-2 Kh-28 Kumsong-3 P-15 Termit Padasuri-6 Surface-to-air missiles Pongae-5 Pyoljji-1-2 S-200 Buk Tor S-75 Dvina S-125 Neva/Pechora 2K12 Kub Air to air missiles R/K-13 R-23/24 R-60 R-73/74 R-27 R-4 R-40 R/K-8 K-9 R-38 Anti-tank guided missiles AT-1 AT-2 AT-3 Susong-Po AT-4 Bulsae-2 AT-5 Bulsae-3 AT-6 AT-7 AT-14 Bulsae-3 Bulsae-4 Air to ground missiles AS-8 Kh-23 Kh-28 Kh-25 Kh-29 Kh-35 P-15 Torpedoes and UUVs SAET-60 Type 53–65E Haeil Transporter erector launchers MAZ-543 MAZ-547 WS51200 Artillery rockets and MRLs KN-25US KN-09US BM-24 BMD-20 BM-11 M-1985 Type 63 Missile tests 1993 2006 2009 2013 2014 2017 2020 2021–2023 US= U.S. designation. Names in italic are unconfirmed official designation. See also: Missile Administration, Hwasong (missile family)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bulsae-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulsae-4) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulsae-4?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.