Chuch'e 79 122mm SP MRL

ChieftainWarrior · February 27, 2026, 9:50pm

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Chuch’e 79-model 122mm self-propelled MRL
주체79년식 122미리 자행방사포

TL;DR: North Korean 40-tube 122mm MRL based on the BM-11, mounted on locally-produced Czechoslovakian Tatra T813 trucks

History
North Korea has a long history of development of multiple rocket launchers (MRLs), most of which are self-propelled. The first MRLs to enter service with the Korean People’s Army (KPA) were Soviet imports — the 132mm BM-13 ‘Katyusha’ was used during the Korean War (1950–53), mounted primarily on the ZiL-151 6x6 truck. The next most influential MRLs arrived in the late 1960s — the Chinese Type 63 107mm MRL, and the Soviet BM-21 122mm MRL. The 40-tube BM-21 was quickly developed into a domestic 30-tube variant, arranged into two blocks of 15 (4x3), often dubbed BM-11 — the official name for this system is ‘1973-model 122mm 30-tube multiple rocket launcher’ (1973년식 122mm 30관 방사포). The BM-21 was also manufactured locally and mounted on a domestic Chaju 6x6 truck, which was dubbed ‘M1977’ by the US DoD, although this was not produced in large numbers.

The M1977 122mm SP MRL on display at a parade in the 1970s

North Korea subsequently developed a large number of variants of the 122mm MRL, and mounted the launchers on many different vehicle chassis and types. The BM-11 was produced in huge numbers and fitted to the Japanese HTW-11, Chinese CA-30, and Soviet ZiS-151 6x6 trucks. The launcher was exported widely (and if self-propelled, usually on the HTW-11), primarily to the Middle East and North Africa (Syria, Libya, and Egypt were some of the largest users). A modified version of the 122mm 40-tube MRL was later fitted to the domestic Chaju-64 truck, and fitted with an automatic loading rack for an additional 40 rounds — dubbed ‘M1985’ by the US DoD.

The ‘M1985’ 122mm SP MRL on display at a parade, sometime in the 1980s–1990s

This series of 122mm self-propelled MRLs culminated in the ‘M1993’, which was fitted with a similar 40-tube MRL with an ammunition rack and automatic loading mechanism, this time on a slightly-modified Czechoslovakian Tatra T813 8x8 truck. This vehicle — named ‘Chuch’e 79-model 122mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher’ (주체79년식 122미리 자행방사포) — was supposedly first produced in 1990 (Chuch’e 79). It is strongly believed that, due to the overwhelming similarities to the Czechoslovakian RM-70 self-propelled MRL, North Korea received a delivery of RM-70s sometime in the 1980s, likely prior to the development of the ‘M1985’. Although the Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL initially lacked the cabin armour which was common on the RM-70, they were first seen fitted with it in 2015, and at all subsequent parades and exercises in which it has been present.

Chuch'e 79 122mm SP MRL 2010

The Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL during the October 2010 parade. These vehicles lack the armoured cabin.

Note about official name

While the Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL follows the same naming scheme as most, if not all, vehicles in the KPA, it does have one oddity. The Chuch’e (Juche) calendar only began to be used in 1997, 7 years after this vehicle entered production (Chuch’e 79 = 1990). As such, the name must have been changed sometime after 1997 to reflect this change in calendar, meaning the original name was ‘1990-model 122mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher’ (1990년식 122미리 자행방사포) [and now that the Gregorian calendar has been reintroduced, it is possible it has been changed back once again]

Name plaque from the April 15, 2012 parade

Chuch'e 79 122mm SP MRL.png
RM-70

The Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL, compared to the Czechoslovakian RM-70. Aside from the launcher, the vehicles are near identical

Prior to 2023, the Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL was the last 122mm self-propelled MRL to have been developed by North Korea.The country underwent a push from the 2000s onwards to higher calibre rocket systems with much greater ranges, namely 240mm and 300mm calibre MRLs. In 2023, a new self-propelled MRL was displayed, which fitted a 12-tube 122mm MRL to a civilian truck. It remains to be seen as to whether North Korea will develop upgrades (primarily in fire control) or new platforms for the 40-tube MRL, similar to Czech upgrades of the RM-70 like the ‘Vampire’.

Characteristics
The Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL is armed with a 40-tube 122mm multiple rocket launcher, split into two blocks of 20 rockets each (4x3). This launcher is compatible with a wide range of different rockets. The first, and most widespread, rocket developed for this system is the 9M22 (M-21-OF), with a maximum speed of 690m/s and a maximum range of just over 20km. It has an 18.4kg explosive warhead, with 6.4kg A-IX-2 filler (9.79kg TNTe using Gaijin’s value of ~1.53x), which would likely translate to penetration in-game of around 62mm. North Korea domestically produce 122mm rockets, of which one is designated R-122 (presumably an export name), and appears to be a direct copy of the 9M22, or the slightly upgraded 9M22U. Rockets displayed on the vehicle at parades are designated 파지 931 (possibly interchangeably rendered as 파지-931), although no specifications are known.

Chuch'e 79 122mm SP MRL

The Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL (unarmoured cabin) during firing exercises

The 122mm MRL is connected to a rack and automatic loading mechanism for an additional 40 rounds. The traverse limits of the launcher are unknown, but are likely to be similar to the the BM-21 on the RM-70, which traverses 125° left and 70° right, and elevates from 0° to +55°.

The Tatra T813 is an 8x8 truck. In its base configuration, it has no armour. Optionally, an armoured cabin can be fitted, which has been present on the Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL since 2015. This cabin provides protection against small arms fire.

Chuch'e 79 122mm SP MRL

The T813 is fitted with a Tatra T-930-3 V12 diesel engine, providing 270hp @ 2700rpm. The RM-70 has a combat weight of 25.3t, and it can be assumed the Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL has a very similar weight. This gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 10.7hp/t. The RM-70 has a top speed of 75km/h. The Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL is operated by a crew of four — a commander, driver, and two gunners.

Conclusion
The Chuch’e 79 122mm SP MRL would be a very fun MLRS for a future United Korea Ground Forces Tech Tree. Compared to a vehicle like the Japanese Type 75 MLRS, with 30 130mm rockets, each with 6.1kg TNTe, it would likely sit at a BR of 7.3. It could also be added alongside the Czechoslovakian RM-70, as the two vehicles are near identical.

Specifications
Armament

1x 122mm 40-tube MRL
- 80 rounds (40 ready-to-fire, 40 in rack)
- Ammunition
  - 9M22
    - Penetration
      - ~62mm @ 0° @ 10m
    - Maximum speed
      - 690m/s
    - Explosive mass
      - 9.79kg TNTe
Horizontal Guidance
- 125° left / 70° right (estimated)
Vertical Guidance
- -0° / +55° (est.)