'M2020' 8x8 122mm FSV

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  • North Korea sub-tree in China
  • United Korea tree
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‘M2020’ 8x8 122mm FSV


what-do-you-think-of-north-koreas-copy-of-the-stryker-mgs-v0-amywylfqhalb1

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 SU-76s, as well as small numbers of T-54s. Tank production began in the late 1960s, with domestic production lines for the PT-76 and T-55, which shifted to the Ch’ŏnma (effectively license-produced/reverse-engineered T-62s) in the mid-to-late 1970s.

In 2010, North Korea revealed the ‘M2010’ 8x8 APC, a derivative of the BTR-80 with a number of features from the older BTR-60PBs, alongside a 6x6 version. These vehicles were purely APCs with machine guns for infantry support.

In 2020, North Korea revealed both an ATGM carrier and a fire-support variant of the M2010 during a parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea. Both of these vehicles have been dubbed ‘M2020’, as their official names have not yet been revealed. While the ATGM carrier has been seen during test footage, the fire-support variant, hereafter referred to as ‘8x8 122mm FSV’, has not been seen since. Whether it was simply designed as a parade vehicle, or as a vehicle for mass production, remains to be seen.

Characteristics
The 8x8 122mm FSV mounts a new unmanned turret with what appears to be a 122m D-30 (modified with a fume extractor), as well as what appears to be an autoloader in the rear of the turret. The D-30 can fire a variety of shells, with at least 2 HE rounds, a couple of HEAT-FS rounds (one of which has 460mm penetration), as well as smoke rounds. The gun of the 2S1 Gvozdika is modified from the D-30 and uses the same shells, and so should give a good idea of it’s performance. This 122mm was likely obtained from decommissioned M1977/M1985 122mm artillery platforms on the 323 APC chassis, as the length, muzzle brake, and counterweight match perfectly.

As secondary armament, the 122mm FSV has a single AGS-30 30mm grenade launcher behind the commander’s hatch.

The vehicle appears to have the same gunner sight as the M2020 MBT, which implies thermal imaging. Some have speculated that this means it also has a laser rangefinder, but the laser rangefinder on the M2020 is external and not integrated into the gunner sight, so I find this unlikely.

This specific variant of the FSV appears to have bolt-on add-on armour across the whole vehicle, likely providing a decent level of protection against HMGs, although to what extent is unknown. The vehicle also has some smoke grenades on the turret sides, as well as laser warning receivers above those.

The 122mm FSV, strangely, has 4 crew members: commander (right front), driver (left front), gunner (left of the gun’s mount), and an unknown 4th crew member to the right of the gun mount, next to the grenade launcher. It’s unlikely that the 4th crew member would only be for firing the grenade launcher, but otherwise their purpose is unknown if the vehicle does indeed have an autoloader. They might replenish the ammunition in the autoloader, but this is speculative.

Conclusion
The 8x8 122mm FSV would be a pretty unique vehicle for a North Korean sub-tree. It doesn’t really have any analogues in game – a fast wheeled chassis with an auto-loaded 122mm howitzer, firing high-penetration HEAT-FS, as well as thermals. Truthfully, I have no idea at what BR this could go, likely 7.3+.

Specifications
Armament

  • 122mm D-30
    • 3OF24 HE
    • 3OF56 HE
    • 3BK-6M HEAT-FS
      • 400mm at 0º
    • 3BK-13 HEAT-FS
      • 460mm at 0º
    • Smoke
  • NVDs/thermals
  • Autoloader
  • AGS-30 30mm grenade launcher

Armour

  • Hull
    • Front
      • Unknown, likely similar to BTR-80A (12mm) + extra unknown thickness
    • Sides
      • Unknown, likely similar to BTR-80A (8mm) + extra unknown thickness
    • Rear
      • Unknown, likely similar to BTR-80A (6mm) + extra unknown thickness
  • Turret
    • Front
      • Unknown
    • Sides
      • Unknown
    • Rear
      • Unknown

Mobility

  • Speed
    • ~ +90/-14km/h
  • Weight
    • Unknown, likely similar to BTR-80A (14.6t) + extra weight of add-on armour
  • Engine power
    • 260hp

Other

  • Smoke grenades
  • 2x Laser Warning Receivers

Images

Spoiler


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Sources

Spoiler

M-2020 기동포
M2020 차륜형 장갑차 - 나무위키
https://sturgeonshouse.ipbhost.com/topic/1923-north-korean-armor-little-kims-less-explosive-tools/
North Korean M-2012 8x8 APC derived from BTR-80
122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30) - Wikipedia

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Never quite seen a wheeled SPG like this. NK has so many cool tanks! +1

2 Likes

it looks like a discount M1128 honestly, bet it’d be fun

2 Likes

This…is strange. A vehicle with an outdated gun, modern thermals, a coaxial…grenade launcher (which is awesome), laser warning receivers, a BTR-80-like hull with the frontal section that mimics the American Stryker. There is a lot of questions to be asked:

  • Does it have a Laser Rangefinder?
  • Is there new ammunition developed for it we don’t know about or will it use legacy rounds like the 3BK-6M?
  • Is it stabilized?
  • How many rounds does the autoloader hold?
  • What is its official role? A mobile howitzer or a tank destroyer?
  • What is its real name?

These questions aren’t aimed at anyone nor am I expecting these to be answered anytime soon lol, just a lot goes into where this vehicle could go in terms of BR. Either way I’m all for it to be added to a United Korea Tree because it is unique and a fun way to repurpose older equipment. This thing is sick +1

1 Like
  • Probably, same sights (and therefore presumably same FCS) as Ch’onma-2
  • Don’t know
  • Don’t know
  • Don’t know
  • Don’t know
  • Don’t know

Hope that helps ;) lol

But no, we really just don’t know. It’s so far only been shown at the 2020 parade and not since, so maybe it was simply a parade showcase vehicle. I’m not sure. I hope we see more of it soon.

3 Likes

Lol word. I appreciate it. If it’s stabilized and has modern thermals/LRF but uses legacy munitions I could see it at 8.7 max. Anything higher will be devastating to it since vehicles would have a lot more ERA/NERA. If it received new munitions (even a shoddy APFSDS-T/APDS-T round, it definitely could go up to 9.0-9.3 max (which idk if the gun could even handle that type of round) which is where I hope to see it considering its a modern vehicle and having it with late Cold War vehicle’s is always frustrating. Kinda sucks the gun wasn’t chambered in 122x785mmR, could share the rounds of the T-10M at the least. Either way I’m down for the vehicle.

1 Like

The “trying to find information on anything North Korean” experience.
When I was reading about the Chonma’s (Chonma-Ho’s?) I just kind of had to assume they either used Russian/Chinese rounds (no information) or made their own (also no information) which made it difficult to imagine putting anywhere lol

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Yeah there is literally nothing known about their rounds, at least not publicly (and yes, just Ch’onma). It isn’t far-fetched to believe they have at the very least experimented with making new rounds, they have the capabilities seeing as they’ve developed their own 125mm rounds.

Luckily in-game Gaijin doesn’t seem to care much and just gives tanks ammunition they’re compatible with, rather than what they historically used, so the most modern Ch’onma’s can be given the best 115mm rounds and be comfortable at ~9.3-9.7.

Would be good for china or unified korean subtree of japan

ummmmm thats litterally an upgunned copy of a m1128 like not even just on looks that’s literally what that is

yes it may be externally similar to the M1128 (beside the 122mm) but it definitly is internally and perfomance wise different from the M1128.

China or Unified Korean Tree are the only possible options and not Japan, Gaijin already gave some sign that Japan may be receiving SEA countries as subs.

2 Likes

It’s a BTR-80 with upgraded armor, a 122mm howitzer that fires HEAT-FS, 30mm AGS-30, thermals and LRF (likely). From current information it lacks sub caliber rounds

Edit: I would recommend changing the name from APC to FSV i.e. “8x8 122mm Fire Support Vehicle” since APC is for transferring personnel and this is either a Tank Destroyer/Assault Gun, or Self-propelled Howitzer

3 Likes

Reminded me that I wanted to change it! Both this and 8x8 ATGM carrier renamed a bit more properly now. o7

2 Likes