- Yes
- No
- North Korean sub-tree in China
- United Korea tree
- Other
- I said no
Brief History
North Korea has a surprisingly long history of tank and AFV production, with some of their most recent developments being very interesting. During the Korean War, and for a couple decades after, North Korea relied on Soviet hand-me-downs, namely T-34s and their derivatives, T-55s, etc. However, in the 70s, the DPRK started development of their first MBTs based on their copy of the T-62 (Ch’ŏnma), which have continually been upgraded to this day. They haven’t just built MBTs, however. They have a number of other AFVs, such as SPGs and tank destroyers (conventional and ATGMs).The Chuch’e-Po chassis was developed sometime in the 90s to replace the older Tŏkch’ŏn SPG series. This has formed the basis for a number of SPGs, but in 2018, the DPRK revealed a completely new design mounting a modern 155mm cannon.
The vehicle was confirmed (in 2022) to be called the 주체107년식 155mm 자행형곡사포 or Chuch’e Year 107 155mm self-propelled howitzer. Chuch’e Year 107 is the same as the Gregorian year 2018, which is why the vehicle is also referred to outside North Korea as M2018.
Name plaque:
Characteristics
The first thing you might think of when looking at this is the South Korean K9 thunder, or even the German Panzerhaubitze 2000. And yes, this SPG looks surprisingly modern and a lot like some other SPGs. However, upon closer inspection, the vehicle looks strikingly similar to a relatively unknown vehicle – the Iranian Raad-2 (image below), which itself takes inspiration from the American M109A1.
Raad-2
Although the two vehicles are not identical, it is clear North Korea has received detailed technical assistance from Iran in the development of this SPG. And from that, we can assume a number of the vehicle’s specifications that otherwise remain unknown.
The Chuch’e 107’s chassis is derived from that of the Ch’ŏnma-216 and Sŏn’gun, similar to how the Raad-2 is derived from the T-72.
The tank is armed with a strange 155mm that doesn’t resemble any Chinese or Russian design (or even calibre, these nations tend to prefer 152mm), and instead looks very western. The cannon is a 155mm L/52, possibly derived from the cannon of the M109 (and later Raad-2), although China in particular also produces and operates 155mm artillery.
Ammunition specifics are unknown, but it is known that the vehicle has at least 3 distinct rounds, as shown in the image below.
- Model of Chuch’e 107 with ammunition on display
No specifics about the M2018’s FCS have been revealed but we do know the following:
- The vehicle is capable of direct fire (gunner sight is visible above the driver)
- The Raad-2 has a LRF and semi-automatic loader, so we can assume the M2018 does too
The first version spotted in 2018 has the typical North Korean 2018 parade secondary weaponry of:
- 2x Igla
- Smoke launchers
- 2x 30mm grenade launchers (copy of Soviet AGS-17)
- 2x Laser Warning Receivers on either side of the turret
A version first seen in 2020 has all these features, as well as a radar-based ballistic sensor (square directly above the barrel), which feeds gun data into the ballistic computer. We can therefore assume the FCS is relatively advanced, which further corroborates the idea that it has a LRF.
In training exercises, the Iglas are removed.
Conclusion
This vehicle would be a great indigenous SPG for a North Korean sub-tree. It would be the most advanced SPG available to North Korea, and would likely play very similarly to the South Korean/Norwegian K9 VIDAR. It likely doesn’t have thermals though, so I think a BR of roughly 8.0-8.3 would be great for it at either the same BR as the VIDAR (which could still go up to 8.3) as a sidegrade (Igla + smoke + LWR vs thermals) or one BR step below it.
Specifications
Armament
- 155mm L/52
- HE
- Laser rangefinder and semi-autoloader
- Likely, not confirmed
Armour
- Hull
- Front
- Unknown
- Sides
- Unknown
- Rear
- Unknown
- Front
- Turret
- Front
- Unknown
- Sides
- Unknown
- Rear
- Unknown
- Front
Mobility
- Speed
- Unknown, probably ~70km/h (same as Raad-2)
- Weight
- Unknown, probably ~36t (same as Raad-2)
- Engine power
- Unknown, probably 750hp (Ch’ŏnma-216) or 1200hp (Sŏn’gun)
Other
- 2x 30mm grenade launcher (AGS-17)
- 2x Igla
- Smoke launchers
- 2x LWRs
- Radar based ballistics sensor (2020 model only)
Images
Sources
Spoiler
The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun – Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
The Mysterious Origins Of A New North Korean Howitzer | 21st Century Asian Arms Race
https://bemil.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2022/01/04/2022010401569.html
New North Korean M2018 gun mounts are now equipped with ballistic radar stations
