M2009 Chunma-D APC

[ChieftainWarrior]

Would you like to see this in-game?

• Yes
• No

Where would you like to see this?

• North Korea sub-tree in China
• United Korea tech tree
• Other
• I said no

M2009 ‘Chunma-D’ APC

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.

Alongside these vehicles, North Korea has developed a number of APCs, primarily by taking Chinese or Soviet designs and ‘copying’ them. However, the Chunma-D (meaning ‘Swift horse’, and known as M2009 in Western sources) is a tracked APC using the hull and chassis of the Sinhŭng light tank.

Characteristics
The Chunma-D has a turret reminiscent of that of the PT-76B. It houses dual 14.5mm ZPU-4 (KPV) auto-cannons, as well as a coaxial 7.62mm machine-gun. The turret also has 2x3 grenade launchers, an IR searchlight, and a panoramic sight. The turret is a slightly different shape to that of the M2010 8x8 APC which was developed around the same time, but otherwise the weaponry remains the same.

The hull remains practically unmodified from the original Sinhŭng design, which itself is an elongated and widened 323 APC chassis. It has roughly 14mm armour all around. The vehicle probably has the same engine as the 323 APC, producing 320hp. The vehicle is also amphibious. The light tank version has an estimated top speed of 60km/h (and 10km/h in water), so this APC likely has the same. The vehicle has 3 crew – a commander, driver and gunner.

Some vehicles have been seen with Igla MANPADs but I personally don’t think these should be added in game, as that would drastically raise the BR of an otherwise 3.0-4.0 worthy vehicle.

Conclusion
This vehicle could be a fun low-tier SPAA/light tank for a North Korean sub-tree. It would be quite anachronistic, as it only has 2x 14.5mm KPVs (the same armament as the 2.7 BTR-152A). It would be faster and better protected than the BTR-152A (and BTR-152D with 4x guns), so I think a BR of ~3.7 might work best. Perhaps it could be given modern Chinese 14.5mm ammunition that’s slightly higher penetrating, to give it a more light tank role at 4.0+, although there’s no evidence North Korea use this ammunition.

Specifications
Armament

• 2x 14.5mm KPVT
  • AP-I
    • 39mm at 10m at 0°
  • API-T
    • 38mm at 10m at 0°
  • IAI
    • 3mm at 10m at 0°
  • AP-I(c)
    • 49mm at 10m at 0°
• 1x 7.62mm (Coaxial)

Armour

• Hull
  • Front
    • 14mm
  • Sides
    • 14mm
  • Rear
    • 14mm
• Turret
  • Front
    • ~9mm
  • Sides
    • ~9mm
  • Rear
    • ~9mm

Mobility

• Speed
  • ~60km/h
  • 10km/h in water
• Weight
  • ~20t (likely less than, due to the lighter turret and weaponry)
• Engine power
  • 320hp

Images

Spoiler

Sources

Spoiler

The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun – Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/m2009-chunma-d/
M-2009 Chunma-D North Korean IFV
M-2010 준마 - 나무위키
North Korean M-2012 6x6 APC derived from BTR-80
M2010 APC - 나무위키
North Korean M-2012 8x8 APC derived from BTR-80

[T50B_BlackEagles]

+1 for united korean tt