- Yes
- No
- North Korea sub-tree in China
- United Korea tree
- Other
- I said no
![Flag-North-Korea](https://img-forum-wt-com.cdn.gaijin.net/original/2X/f/fd2c41663d9333d3a0940cf5134bc8378cc44483.webp)
Unknown official name
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. 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 Tŏkch’ŏn series (named after a city in South Pyongan province where it was constructed) was the first major series of indigenous North Korean SPGs. It essentially took the chassis of the Soviet ATS-59 artillery tractor and added multiple types of high-calibre cannons, resulting in a number of different variants. However, there was also 1 SPAA on this chassis – the M1978.
Characteristics
The M1978 Tŏkch’ŏn mounts dual Chinese Type 65 37mm guns on the aformentioned ATS-59 chassis, in an open-top turreted design. The Type 65 is already in game on the Phòng không T-34, and its Soviet counterpart on the ZSU-37. This gun has access to HEFI-T, AP-T and HVAP-T rounds – the latter of which can penetrate 87mm of armour at 10m. The dual setup is likely very similar to that of the Phòng không T-34.
The chassis remains largely unmodified, and I doubt the engine was changed, so it should still be a 300hp engine, reaching a top speed of 45km/h.
The armour is poor, only thin plates surrounding the gun, probably <15mm across the whole vehicle, although this is unknown.
Some of these have been seen mounting Igla MANPADs on the rear, but I don’t think that variant would be suitable for the game (given the strength of MANPADs at a low-BR, but weakness of dual 37mms at a higher BR)
Conclusion
This vehicle would be a great early indigenous SPAA for a North Korean sub-tree. It would have similar gun performance and mobility to the Phòng không T-34 at 5.0, albeit with a more exposed turret, and lack of any actual hull armour (as on the T-34 chassis). Therefore I think a BR of 4.7 would be best.
Specifications
Armament
- Dual Type 65 37mm
- UO-167 HEFI-T
- 8mm at 10m, 866m/s
- BR-167 AP-T
- 70mm at 10m, 868m/s
- BR-167P HVAP-T
- 87mm at 10m, 960m/s
- UO-167 HEFI-T
Armour
- Hull
- Front
- Unknown, thin
- Sides
- Unknown, thin
- Rear
- Unknown, thin
- Front
- Turret
- Front
- Unknown, thin
- Sides
- Unknown, thin
- Rear
- Unknown, thin
- Front
Mobility
- Speed
- 45km/h
- Weight
- '>15t (13t + >2t)
- Engine power
- 300hp
Images
Spoiler
Sources