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주체93년식 중땅크 ≪천마-216≫
TL;DR: North Korea’s most advanced MBT from the T-62-based Ch’ŏnma-series, armed with a 115mm cannon. Fitted with a weapons package consisting of a dual ATGM launcher and a MANPADS launcher.
History
North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), formed in September 1948. Two years later, war began between the Soviet-backed North and US-backed South. During this time, North Korean tank forces were equipped almost exclusively with T-34s (76mm and 85mm models) and SU-76s. Following the end of the war in 1953, North Korea was re-armed with Soviet and Chinese tanks, primarily the T-54/55 and the Type 59, the Chinese counterpart.
North Korea adopted the T-62 as their MBT in the 70s, replacing their antiquated T-34s and T-55s (although over 2000 T-55s were still in service as of 2023). They were produced domestically, with the first leaving the production line in 1976. These were designated Ch’ŏnma (roughly meaning ‘Pegasus’) – ‘Chonma-ho’ is often used online, but this designation is fake and not used by North Korea. The Ch’ŏnma has been extensively upgraded. First upgrades were minor, with turret bustles introduced in the early 1980s, and laser rangefinders in 1985 (first observed [although North Korea had produced LRFs before for export, and experimentally fit various models to the Ch’ŏnma, the 1985 model was the first model to properly enter production for the KPA]). First spotted in 1992 was the Ch’ŏnma-92, referred to (incorrectly) in Western sources as Ch’ŏnma-ho III, featuring a new welded turret and ERA across the front and sides.
Unmodified Ch’ŏnma during a parade in the 2000s
Upgrades for the Ch’ŏnma continued to be developed during the late 1980s and 1990s. Around the same time, North Korea received delivery of a singular T-72 ‘Ural’, likely from Iran, in the mid-to-late 1980s. This allowed them to reverse-engineer the 125mm 2A26M2, and likely also composite armour. At least one Ch’ŏnma was fitted with a thermal sleeve during this time period, and it may have been experimentally armed with a 125mm cannon. However, this remained a prototype, and it is likely that the lessons learned from it (such as a lack of turret space) directly led to the development of the 125mm-armed Sŏn’gun-915, which reportedly entered production in 2009, and featured a much larger turret.
1. Ch’ŏnma-92 during a parade; 2. Ch’ŏnma with a potential 125mm main gun
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, North Korea’s closest trading partner at the time, the country entered a severe economic crisis and famine from 1995–2000. This drastically slowed the development of new armoured vehicles. The Ch’ŏnma-98 was produced around 2000, and compared to the Ch’ŏnma-92, only featured a slightly remodelled turret, and lacked the ERA. The Ch’ŏnma-214 was produced around 2001, and featured appliqué armour on the turret, small modifications to the hull, and possible FCS modernisations. The Ch’ŏnma-214 was produced in much larger numbers than the Ch’ŏnma-98, which has been seen very rarely.
In 2002, the US received intelligence of a new MBT being tested — this was the Ch’ŏnma-215 and Ch’ŏnma-216. Both featured a lengthened hull with an additional roadwheel (6), new turret armour, and an upgraded FCS. The Ch’ŏnma-215 likely served as a pre-production run, with a few minor differences to the production Ch’ŏnma-216, notably a less-refined hull, a different engine-deck, and a different smoke grenade launcher arrangement. Development of these vehicles had likely begun in the mid-to-late 1990s. They were both first shown publicly in 2010, during the parade for the 65th anniversary of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea. They are often incorrectly referred to as the P’okp’ung-ho I and II — these designations are completely fake. Their official designation is the Chuch’e 93-model heavy tank ‘Ch’ŏnma-216’ [주체93년식 중땅크 ≪천마-216≫].
Ch’ŏnma-216s during the 2010 parade
The Ch’ŏnma-216 has been relatively frequently spotted since, during parades and training exercises. It has also seen two distinct upgrade packages, one first seen in 2013, and one in 2017, fitting the vehicles with ATGMs, MANPADS, AGLs, and additional armour. During training exercises, however, it is often seen without any upgrades. The first package was first seen on July 27th, 2013, for the parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the ‘Day of Victory’ (Korean War armistice). The package is fairly simple, and consists of a HT-16PGJ MANPADS launcher — a domestic, upgraded variant of the 9K310 Igla-1 — and a dual ATGM launcher. North Korean ATGMs are somewhat confusing, not helped by wildly inaccurate claims online, but the variants on this weapons packagae are believed to be the Bulsae-2. The Bulsae-2 is the name given to the domestically-produced Soviet 9M111-2 Fagot ATGM. Although it has been upgraded to laser guidance, under the designation Bulsae-4, the 2013 weapons package features the regular Bulsae-2. The weapons package was likely a prototype of sorts, and has not been seen since the unveiling of the newer, more refined package in 2017.
Ch’ŏnma-216 with the weapons package first seen in 2013, during the 2015 parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea
Characteristics
The Ch’ŏnma-216 is equipped with a stabilised 115mm U-5TS main cannon. While we have no information on North Korean 115mm rounds, it is likely that along with domestically-produced / upgraded APFSDS rounds, it fires export Soviet rounds. 3BM28 APFSDS penetrates 396mm @ 0° @ 10m. 3BM36 APFSDS penetrates 385mm @ 0° @ 2000m. The most modern 115mm round, developed by Russia in the 2010s, can allegedly penetrate around 480mm @ 0° @ 2000m, although it is unlikely North Korea have access to this round or have domestically produced a round with equivalent performance. 3BK15M HEAT-FS penetrates 500mm @ 0°. The gun is not compatible with GL-ATGMs.
The Ch’ŏnma-216 has a laser rangefinder mounted externally above the barrel. The quality of the sights and FCS is unknown, however, the gunner appears to keep the same TPN-1-41-11 night sight as on the T-62. The commander appears to be equipped with a TKN-4S periscope. Neither have thermal sights, and the retention of the IR spotlight to the right of the main gun further supports this.
The Ch’ŏnma-216 has a coaxial 7.62mm Type 82, a domestic variant of the Soviet PKT, along with a roof-mounted 14.5mm KPVT, capable of firing AP rounds that can penetrate 49mm @ 0° @ 10m. The 2013 weaponry package introduces a single HT-16PGJ MANPADS launcher at the turret rear. The HT-16PGJ system fires the HG-16 missile, 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. The Ch’ŏnma-216 would be limited to one missile, unless an additional ammunition box is carried on the engine deck — this has not been seen. Four smoke grenade launchers are fitted on either side of the turret, for a total of eight.
The most potent upgrade is the dual ATGM launcher, firing the Bulsae-2 ATGMs. The Bulsae-2 is the North Korean designation for the 9M111-2 Fagot, produced locally. The missiles are limited to 460mm of penetration and a top speed of 240m/s, with a range of 2.5km. These are relatively weak missiles, but still provide some welcome additional firepower.
Close-up of the turret of the Ch’ŏnma-216 with the first weapons package, seen in October 2015
The Ch’ŏnma-216 uses a welded turret, which does not appear to have changed much at all since the Ch’ŏnma-92. It has similar add-on armour to the Soviet BDD, as seen on the T-55M and T-62M series, with a thickness of around 200mm. The turret itself appears to be around 300-400mm thick, on par with the T-72M1. It is likely that the turret is fitted with composite armour, although no details are available and it is unlikely to be as good as that fitted to the T-72.
The hull is based on the T-62, but has been slightly lengthened. The hull armour type and thickness is unclear, but it may have been thickened, although likely not by much given the small (stated) increase in weight compared to the original Ch’ŏnma. It is fitted with appliqué armour on the UFP, similar to that on the Ch’ŏnma-214’s turret, which is estimated to provide around 100mm against KE projectiles and 200mm against CE projectiles.
The Ch’ŏnma-216 is very likely fitted with the T-72’s engine, reverse-engineered from the single T-72 Ural. This is the V-46, providing 780hp. This likely gives it a top speed of around 60km/h. The Ch’ŏnma-216 is stated to weigh 39t, only a 2t increase over the original Ch’ŏnma. If true, this gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 20hp/t.
Ch’ŏnma-216 (no weapons packages) during a training exercises
Conclusion
The Ch’ŏnma-216 (2013) would be an excellent vehicle for a future United Korean tech tree, as one of the most advanced North Korean MBTs. This variant would likely go at a BR of around 9.7, with the 2017 weapons package as a modification.
Specifications
Armament
- 115mm U-5TS
- Two-plane stabiliser
- 3BM28 APFSDS
- 396mm @ 0° @ 10m
- 229mm @ 60° @ 10m
- 3BM36 APFSDS
- 385mm @ 0° @ 10m
- 225mm @ 60° @ 2000m
- 3BK15M HEAT-FS
- 500mm @ 0°
- 3OF27 HE
- 40mm @ 0°
- 1x dual Bulsae-2 ATGM launcher
- Bulsae-2
- 460mm @ 0°
- 2500m range
- 180–240m/s
- Bulsae-2
- 1x HT-16PGJ launcher
- HG-16 SAM
- 9M313 w/ some 9M39 characteristics
- HG-16 SAM
- 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 82 (coaxial)
- AP-I/API-T belt
- 13mm @ 0° @ 10m
- AP-I/API-T belt
- Laser rangefinder
- NVDs
Armour
- Hull
- Unknown. 100mm base armour + appliqué + possible internal composite
- Turret
- Unknown. Possibly equivalent to T-72M1 (400–500mm effective)
Mobility
- Speed
- 60km/h (estimated)
- Weight
- 39t (claimed)
- Engine power
- 780hp (estimated), 20hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 4
- Smoke grenade launchers
- 8x
Images
Sources
Spoiler
The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun — Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
Ch’ŏnma-216 - Tank Encyclopedia
Below The Turret Ring: Photographs from North Korean ATGM tests
