- Yes
- No
- North Korea sub-tree in China
- United Korea tree
- I said no
- Other
TL;DR
A T-62 with a new welded turret, an improved FCS, and a better engine
History
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 are still in service in 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 seen a number of upgrades. In 1985, the first Ch’ŏnma’s with laser rangefinders were spotted. At some point in the late 80s to early 90s, the Ch’ŏnma-92 was developed. This variant featured a new turret – notably shorter – as well as an external laser rangefinder, sideskirts, a new 750hp engine, and domestically produced turret ERA.
- Ch’ŏnma-92 during one of its very few parade appearances. Although not great detail, you can make out the new turret and ERA
The Ch’ŏnma-98 was the next variant produced. Supposedly, it was first present during the parade for the 55th anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea in 2000 (although no full-videos are available, meaning no confirmation or images of it during this parade can be found). It appears most likely to simply have been a prototype pre-series vehicle, being almost identical to the later Ch’ŏnma-214. It has been spotted incredibly infrequently since – in 2012, it was present at the opening of the KPA Exhibition of Arms and Equipment in Pyongyang, where it has remained ever since.
Characteristics:
Turret and Armament
The most notable upgrade of the Ch’ŏnma-98 is the new turret. While the Ch’ŏnma-92 also mounted a new turret, the Ch’ŏnma-98 refined the design, which would continue being used (in a slightly modified form) for all following designs, including the Ch’ŏnma-216. This is an angular welded turret, shorter and longer than the standard T-62 turret. This tank retains the stabilised 115mm U-5TS, and presumably fires imported Soviet ammunition such as 3BM21 or 3BM28. It is unlikely to be able to fire GL-ATGMs, but there’s no confirmation either way so this remains speculative. It is also very likely that North Korea have designed and produced their own domestic 115mm APFSDS rounds, especially considering their ability to design domestic one-piece 125mm APFSDS for the Ch’ŏnma-2. However, there isn’t any information regarding these rounds at all, and so I think sticking to just imported Soviet rounds is best.
The Ch’ŏnma-98 is often said to mount a thermal imager, but these claims are unsubstantiated. It is much more likely that the vehicle has the exact same sights as the regular T-62 – the TSh2B-41 gunner sight, as well as the TPN-1 night sight along with the L-2 Luna IR spotlight mounted next to the external laser rangefinder. If the Ch’ŏnma-98 was fitted with thermals, as is often rumoured, it would not have retained the IR spotlight. The original Ch’ŏnma’s copied the T-62 obr. 1972 turret, which had the TKN-3 commander sight, which is very likely still in use on the Ch’ŏnma-98. The FCS used on the Ch’ŏnma-98 is upgraded from the T-62/Ch’ŏnma, but to what extent isn’t really known. It is often claimed that the Ch’ŏnma-98 incorporates an FCS derived from that of the Chieftain, which Iran operated, and probably sent examples of to the DPRK. For in-game purposes this doesn’t mean much, other than the ability to use the LRF, which we know anyway.
- The only other view of this vehicle. Blurry, but the turret shape is clearer
- The Ch’ŏnma-214. The turret is virtually identical, aside from the addition of appliqué armour at the front, and a rear extension, possibly for ammunition storage
The laser rangefinder North Korea uses is a domestic development, inspired by the Soviet KTD-1 and KTD-2. This is mounted above the main gun. The turret also has 2 sets of 4x smoke grenade launchers mounted on either side, near the turret cheeks. As secondary armament, the Ch’ŏnma-98 has a standard 7.62mm coaxial, as well as a 14.5mm KPV mounted above the loader’s hatch – this can rotate 360°.
Armour and Layout
The new turret of the Ch’ŏnma-98 is likely to be very well-armoured. No specifics are available, but we know that the later turret of the Ch’ŏnma-215/216 is likely to be similar to the T-72 ‘Ural’, reaching up to 600mm thick. How this was changed from the Ch’ŏnma-98/214 to the -215 is unknown, but the shape appears to be almost the same, and so at best, the Ch’ŏnma-98 will have very similar armour thickness. Unfortunately, no further information is known.
The hull of the Ch’ŏnma-98 appears to be identical to that of the T-62. While the Ch’ŏnma-214 incorporates appliqué armour on the UFP, we can tell that from the few images available, the Ch’ŏnma-98 seems to keep the standard hull, with a 100mm UFP sloped at 60°, sides of 80mm, and 45mm at the rear.
- Ch’ŏnma-214’s upgraded UFP is clear here
The Ch’ŏnma-98 has a similar crew layout to the T-62, with a commander, gunner, loader and driver. The driver is positioned at the front-left (when facing forward, in the same direction as the tank) of the hull, with the commander and gunner behind, in the left side of the turret. The loader is to the right of the cannon.
The last difference the Ch’ŏnma-98 has to the T-62 is a new engine, first added on the Ch’ŏnma-92. It is said to have a 750hp engine, similar to the engine upgrade of the T-62M, which takes the engine from 580hp to 690hp. This may allow the Ch’ŏnma-98 to reach a higher top-speed than the T-62 (51km/h). The base T-62/Ch’ŏnma weighs 37t, and the Ch’ŏnma-98 is assumed to weigh around 38-39t, primarily owing to the new turret and increased armour.
Conclusion
The Ch’ŏnma-98 would be a fun vehicle in game for a future North Korean subtree or United Korean tech tree, playing similarly to the T-62M-1, if not slightly better than it. It would represent an important step in North Korea’s indigenous tank development, serving as a stepping stone between the more basic Ch’ŏnma-92 and the most advanced Ch’ŏnma-216. I would suggest a BR of 9.0-9.3, either foldered alongside the Ch’ŏnma-214, or as a premium counterpart to it.
Specifications
Armament
- 115mm U-5TS
- Stabilised
- 3BM21 APFSDS
- 3BM28 APFSDS
- 3BK15M HEAT-FS
- 3OF27 HE
- 14.5mm KPVT
- 7.62mm coaxial
- Laser rangefinder
- Gunner NVDs
Armour
- Hull
- Front - 100mm at 60º
- Sides - 80mm at 0º
- Rear - 45mm at 2º
- Turret
- Front - Unknown – possibly up to 600mm thick (not effective)
- Sides - Unknown, possibly similar to regular T-62 (115-196mm)
- Rear - Unknown, possibly similar to regular T-62 (65mm)
Mobility
- Speed
- Unknown, at least +51/-8 km/h
- Weight
- 38-39t
- Engine power
- 750hp, ~17hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 4 – Commander, gunner, loader, driver
- Smoke grenades
- 8x total, 2 sets of 4
Images
The only images available (at least those accessible online) are the two already shown in the post
Sources
Spoiler
The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun – Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
Below The Turret Ring: Photographs from North Korean ATGM tests