- Yes
- No
1968-model heavy tank ‘68’
1968년식 중땅크 ≪68≫
TL;DR: North Korean domestically-produced Type 59, equipped with provisions for slat armour, a 14.5mm KPVT, smoke grenades, and a MANPADS launcher
History
Soon after the end of the Korean War in 1953, North Korea began to receive T-54/55s from the USSR. The first delivery took place sometime in the mid-1950s, providing North Korea with a small number of the T-54 obr. 1949 and obr. 1951, providing a substantial upgrade to their large, but rapidly aging, fleet of T-34-85s (which numbered at least 1000 at this time). In the 1960s, North Korea received substantial deliveries of T-55s from the USSR, alongside large numbers of Type 59s (Chinese-produced T-54As) from China. The T-55s appear to exclusively be the early T-55 obr. 1958 variant — despite common opinion, at least one source explicitly says no T-55As were delivered, and I have also not been able to find photographic evidence of any. T-55As can most easily be identified by the larger cupolas, as a result of the improved NBC protection.
1. T-54 obr. 1949 and 2. T-54 obr. 1951 in North Korean service
According to North Korea, their first domestically-produced tank was the Soviet PT-76 light tank, which entered production in 1967 under the name 1967-model amphibious tank (1967년식 수륙땅크). These were the first vehicles produced locally in the country, although the year is questionable. Local assembly from knock-down kits — not domestic production — likely began in the early 1970s instead. North Korea also claim that domestic production of the T-55 began in 1968. South Korean reports state that production actually began in 1973. If production did begin in 1968, the rates were very low. Production of the 68 only lasted for around a decade, with production slowing in the late 1970s, at the same time serial production of the Ch’ŏnma — North Korea’s locally-produced T-62 and mainstay MBT — began around 1978. It is likely that by the 1980s, production of the 68 had ceased entirely. The total number of vehicles produced is uncertain, although common numbers cited are 1600–1800 T-54/55s/Type 59s acquired in total.
These locally-produced tanks were named the 1968-model heavy tank ‘68’ (1968년식 중땅크 ≪68≫) [North Korea uses the Korean phrase 중땅크 to refer to their MBTs, which directly translates to heavy tank, even if functionally they are medium tanks / MBTs], according to sources who viewed the tank at the KPA Exhibition of Arms and Equipment in Pyongyang. Some sources also refer to these vehicles as just 68, including a former North Korean tank commander. Other North Korean armoured vehicles from the same period are also given short names of just two or three digit numbers, e.g:
- 69, or 1969-model armoured personnel carrier 69 [1969년식 장갑차 ≪69≫], for the BTR-60PB copy
- 323, or 1973-model armoured personnel carrier 323 [1973년식 장갑차 ≪323≫], for the domestic APC
I will be using 68 throughout the suggestion. Some sources also use the term Type 68, although this is a Western name.
As a side note, it also seems the Type 59 is designated T-59 in North Korea, according to the same tank commander.
The actual identity of the 68 is somewhat strange. North Korea claims they are T-55s, as does most Western intelligence, but closer inspection reveals a more unique vehicle. The frontal hull has a straight weld line, something present only on the T-55 and Type 59 — the T-54 has interlocking plates. However, the turret retains the dome ventilator on the turret roof, which is absent on the T-55. The main gun features a fume extractor, something present only on the Type 59, T-55, and late-model T-54s (T-54A onwards). It can therefore be concluded that the 68 is a locally-produced Type 59, and not a T-55. Some sources suggest that initial production of the 68 was of T-55s, but that production soon switched to the Type 59. The highly limited information makes this hard to verify, but nearly all images of the 68 appear to be Type 59 derivatives.
1. Rear of a Type 59, identifiable by the original 12.7mm DShK; 2. Unmodified T-55s during a parade: notably, for whatever reason, it seems no T-55s received the upgrade to the 14.5mm KPVT
All 68 models appear to be fitted with a roof-mounted 14.5mm KPVT as standard – something present on nearly every North Korean MBT, and most APCs — in place of the 12.7mm DShK. Early variants have it mounted at the rear of the turret, accessible only to crew members standing on the engine deck, although on later models it is attached to the commander’s cupola. Slat armour was adopted by North Korea relatively early on during the Cold War, although details are hard to come by. Most MBTs (including the 68), alongside a large number of T-34-85s, have been outfitted with mounts for slat armour, although it is rarely fitted. Some vehicles have also been fitted with pintle-mounted MANPADS at the rear of the turret — these are the HT-16PGJ, a domestic variant of the 9K310 Igla-1 (9M313), with the improved seeker and aerodynamics of the 9K38 Igla’s missile (9M39). Some vehicles are also fitted with smoke grenade launchers, mounted in two banks of four on either side of the turret.
Two early model 68s, identifiable by the rear-mounted 14.5mm KPVT, during training
The 68 is now rather infrequently seen during parades but remains — alongside its Soviet and Chinese siblings — a core part of the Korean People’s Army. Despite clearly being antiquated, particularly compared to the Ch’ŏnma, Sŏn’gun-915, and Ch’ŏnma-20, they remain part of North Korea’s most numerous MBT family.
Characteristics
The 68 is armed with a 100mm main cannon — very likely to be the D-10TG (Chinese variant: Type 59), equipped with a vertical stabiliser, as on the Chinese Type 59. This cannon can fire a wide range of shells — the exact ammunition used by North Korea is unknown, but likely consists of imported / domestically-produced Soviet and possibly Chinese rounds. It is unknown if North Korea have designed their own 100mm rounds. BR-412 APHE penetrates 218mm @ 0° @ 10m, BR-412B APHEBC penetrates 218mm @ 0° @ 10m (with better performance at range and at angles), and BR-412D APCBC penetrates 239mm @ 0° @ 10m. The gun can also fire APCR rounds, like BR-412P, which penetrates 224mm @ 0° @ 10m, APDS rounds like 3BM-8 (336mm @ 0° @ 10m) and Type 59 APDS (361mm @ 0° @ 10m), and HEAT-FS rounds like 3BK-5 (380mm @ 0°) and Type 73 HEAT-FS (390mm @ 0°). 34 main rounds can be carried. The 68 retains the same coaxial 7.62mm, likely a local copy of the 7.62mm Type 59, for which 3000 rounds can be carried.
68s with slat armour mounts and HT-16PGJ launchers, but no smoke grenade launchers
The 68 appears to be fitted with the same sights as the original Type 59 / T-54A. The commander has a TKN-1 monocular day sight — on the T-54A, and later production Type 59s, this was changed to the TKN-1S night sight, alongside the OU-3 IR spotlight, but this appears to be absent on all 68s. The gunner has an MK-4 binocular periscope and a TSh2B-22 sight. Some vehicles feature two banks of four smoke grenade launchers, located on either side of the turret.
The 68 is also fitted with a roof-mounted 14.5mm KPVT, capable of firing AP rounds that can penetrate 49mm @ 0° @ 10m. One HT-16PGJ MANPADS launcher is mounted at the rear of the turret. The HT-16PGJ system, firing the HG-16 missile, is an improved variant of the 9M313 missile fired by the 9K310 Igla-1 system, incorporating the aerodynamic spike nose of the 9M39 (Igla-1). The characteristics of the HG-16 are unknown, but can reasonably be assumed to be inbetween the 9M313 and 9M39. Unless an ammunition box is stored on the engine deck, the 68 would be limited to one missile.
The 68 is armoured the same as the Type 59 / T-54. The upper front plate measures 100mm, sloped at 60°. The lower front plate is 100mm @ 54°. The hull sides and rear are 80mm @ 0° and 45mm @ 16° respectively. The turret is sloped, providing around 200mm of armour at the front, 160mm along the sides, and 66mm at the rear. The vehicle can optionally be fitted with slat armour across the hull and turret sides, providing additional protection against some HEAT rounds. The 68 is likely fitted with a copy of the Model 12150L / V-54 engine, which delivers 520hp @ 2000rpm. The 68 weighs 36t, thus giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 14.4hp/t. It has a top speed of 50km/h forwards and 8km/h in reverse.
A T-55 with slat armour. This is likely the same design for all T-54/55- and early Ch’ŏnma-series vehicles
Conclusion
The 68 would be an excellent addition to a future United Korean tech tree, instead of, or in addition to, less-unique, copy-paste T-54/55s. Although it has a number of useful upgrades over the Type 59 (8.0) — smoke grenades, slat armour, and an Igla launcher — it would still be limited by its lack of a two-plane stabiliser, the uprated engine, and APFSDS rounds, which characterise the T-55A (8.3). Therefore, it would likely sit at the same BR of 8.0.
Specifications
Armament
- 100mm D-10TG / Type 59
- 34 rounds
- Ammunition
- BR-412 APHE
- 218mm @ 0° @ 10m
- BR-412B APHEBC
- 218mm @ 0° @ 10m
- BR-412D APCBC
- 239mm @ 0° @ 10m
- BR-412P APCR
- 224mm @ 0° @ 10m
- 3BM-8 APDS
- 336mm @ 0° @ 10m
- Type 59 APDS
- 361mm @ 0° @ 10m
- 3BK-5 HEAT-FS
- 380mm @ 0° @ 10m
- Type 73 HEAT-FS
- 390mm @ 0° @ 10m
- OF-412 HE
- 27mm @ 0°
- 3D3 Smoke
- BR-412 APHE
- Vertical Guidance
- -5°/+18° @ 4.5°/second
- Horizontal Guidance
- 360° @ 10°/second
- 1x 14.5mm KPVT (roof-mounted)
- API-T/AP-I(c)/API-T/IAI belt
- 49mm @ 0° @ 10m
- API-T/AP-I(c)/API-T/IAI belt
- 1x 7.62mm Type 59 (coaxial)
- 3000 rounds
- AP-I/API-T belt
- 13mm @ 0° @ 10m
- 1x HT-16PGJ launcher
- HG-16 SAM
- 9M313 w/ some 9M39 characteristics
- HG-16 SAM
Armour
- Hull
- UFP: 100mm @ 60°
- LFP: 100mm @ 54°
- Sides: 80mm @ 0° + optional slat armour
- Rear: 45mm @ 16°
- Turret
- Front: Variable, ~200mm
- Sides: Variable, ~160mm + optional slat armour
- Rear: Variable, ~66mm
- Roof: 30mm
Mobility
- Speed
- +50km/h / -8km/h
- Weight
- 36t
- Engine power
- 520hp, 14.4hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 4
- Smoke
- 8x launchers (2x4)
Images
Spoiler
Sources
Spoiler
The Armed Forces of North Korea — On the Path of Songun. Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans.
68 (Type 68) - Tank Encyclopedia
무장장비관 견문록(1) ‘불새’를 쏘는 ‘무적의 첨단전차’:자주시보
- This author grossly over-exaggerates the capabilites of North Korean equipment, but has visited the KPA museum in Pyongyang and — seemingly accurately — reported the names of vehicles / equipment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-48KY4pFxGs
- The accuracy of the statements from this North Korean defector is unclear, but he does refer to the 68 as 68, as well as the Type 59 as T-59, @ 2:27