- Yes
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- United Korea tree
- Other
- I said no
TL;DR: North Korean MBT armed with a 125mm cannon, derived from the T-62-based Ch’ŏnma, as well as the T-72.
History
North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), formed in September 1948. Two years later, war began between the Soviet-backed North and US-backed South. During this time, North Korean tank forces were equipped almost exclusively with T-34s (76mm and 85mm models) and SU-76s. Following the end of the war in 1953, North Korea was re-armed with Soviet and Chinese tanks, primarily the T-54/55 and the Type 59, the Chinese counterpart.
North Korea adopted the T-62 as their MBT in the 70s, replacing their antiquated T-34s and T-55s (although over 2000 T-55s were still in service as of 2023). They were produced domestically, with the first leaving the production line in 1976. These were designated Ch’ŏnma (roughly meaning ‘Pegasus’) – ‘Chonma-ho’ is often used online, but this designation is fake and not used by North Korea. The Ch’ŏnma has been extensively upgraded. First upgrades were minor, with turret bustles introduced in the early 1980s, and laser rangefinders in 1985 (first observed [although North Korea had produced LRFs before for export, and experimentally fit various models to the Ch’ŏnma, the 1985 model was the first model to properly enter production for the KPA]). First spotted in 1992 was the Ch’ŏnma-92, referred to (incorrectly) in Western sources as Ch’ŏnma-ho III, featuring ERA across the front and sides.
Unmodified Ch’ŏnma during a parade in the 2000s
While upgrades for the Ch’ŏnma continued to be developed during the late 1980s and 1990s (such as a new turret, beginning on the Ch’ŏnma-98), work began on improving firepower. North Korea had received delivery of a singular T-72 ‘Ural’, likely from Iran, in the mid-to-late 1980s. This allowed them to reverse-engineer the 125mm 2A26M2, and likely also composite armour. At least one Ch’ŏnma was fitted with a thermal sleeve during this time period, and it may have been experimentally armed with a 125mm cannon. However, all further variants of the Ch’ŏnma (Ch’ŏnma-214, Ch’ŏnma-215, Ch’ŏnma-216) would retain the 115mm main cannon.
1. Ch’ŏnma-92 during a parade; 2. Ch’ŏnma with a potential 125mm main gun
In 2010, during the parade for the 65th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, a new MBT was unveiled, designated Sŏn’gun-915. It was North Korea’s first production tank equipped with a 125mm cannon, and features a redesigned hull, inspired by the T-72, as well as a completely new turret. It is likely that it began development after the Ch’ŏnma-216 was produced, and reportedly first entered production in 2009. ‘Sŏn’gun’ refers to North Korea’s policy of ‘military first’.
Sŏn’gun-915s during the 2010 parade
The Sŏn’gun-915 has been seen numerous times since 2010, but although it is in many ways superior to the Ch’ŏnma-216, it appears to not be as numerous, nor spotted as often. Much like the Ch’ŏnma-216, the Sŏn’gun-915 has been upgraded with a number of different upgrade packages, with three distinct versions: two of which were first seen in 2012, and one in 2017. The first 2012 variant features a dual AGL and what appears to be a dual ATGM launcher, as well as an ERA package across the turret, shown at the opening of the KPA Exhibition of Arms and Equipment on April 15th. The second was seen on the parade on the same day, lacking the additional weaponry, but with the same ERA package. The 2018 variant features the same ERA package, alongside a dual AGL, dual ATGM launcher and dual MANPADS launcher.
1. Sŏn’gun-915 during the 2012 parade, with turret ERA; 2. Sŏn’gun-915 during the 2018 parade, with additional weaponry
Characteristics
The Sŏn’gun-915 is equipped with a stabilised 125mm main cannon, derived from the Soviet 2A26M2 mounted on the T-72 Ural. It is likely capable of firing most Soviet/Russian and Chinese 125mm rounds, along with domestic North Korean rounds. However, unlike Soviet and Chinese designs, the Sŏn’gun-915 does not have an autoloader, resulting in longer reload rates. 3BM42 APFSDS penetrates 457mm @ 10m @ 0°, and 3BK18M HEAT-FS penetrates 550mm @ 0°. The main cannon is not compatible with GL-ATGMs.
The Sŏn’gun-915 has a laser rangefinder mounted externally above the barrel. The quality of the sights and FCS is unknown, but we can speculate that it lacks thermal sights, due to the retention of the IR searchlight mounted to the right of the main gun. The Sŏn’gun-915 has a coaxial 7.62mm, as well as a roof-mounted 14.5mm KPV, common to most North Korean MBTs. The base version is also fitted with an Igla SAM launcher mounted on the left of the turret, although its functionality is questionable, and it has never been seen during training exercises. Four smoke grenade launchers are fitted on either side of the turret, for a total of eight.
Sŏn’gun-915 during the 2010 parade, with a clearer view of the Igla launcher
The Sŏn’gun-915 uses a cast, not a welded, turret. It is likely fitted with composite armour, although no details are available and it is unlikely to be as good as that fitted to the T-72. The Ch’ŏnma-216 has turret armour estimated (perhaps optimistically) to be as thick as that of the T-72M, and it is likely, despite the enlarged turret, that the Sŏn’gun-915 has similar armour thickness. North Korea claims the turret provides 900mm of protection, likely against CE rounds. This number is likely exaggerated but not impossible.
The hull is still based on the T-62, but has been lengthened and widened, with similar (but slightly larger) dimensions to the Ch’ŏnma-216 (which features six roadwheels, instead of the T-62’s five). The driver is located in the middle, as on the T-72. The hull armour type and thickness is unclear, but could contain composite, possibly derived from the T-72 Ural (80mm RHA + 105mm glass textolite + 20mm RHA; ~450mm against CE, ~330mm against KE). The UFP is also fitted with ERA, possibly derived from the Soviet Kontakt-1, which provides 400mm CE protection. Much like on the T-80U, the Sŏn’gun-915 has rubber flaps covering the LFP, as well as on the hull sides.
North Korea claims that the Sŏn’gun-915 has a 1200hp engine, able to let it reach a top speed of 70km/h. They state its weight is 44t, which is notably heavier than the T-72 Ural (likely due to the lack of an autoloader, and the larger turret with potentially thicker armour), and much heavier than the Ch’ŏnma-series. This gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 27.3hp/t, significantly better than the T-72-family.
Conclusion
The Sŏn’gun-915 would be an excellent vehicle for a future United Korean tech tree, as one of the most advanced North Korean MBTs. Due to multiple unknowns, I tentatively propose a BR of 10.0, equipped with 3BM42 and/or 125-I APFSDS. This places it just below the T-72Bs and ZTZ-96A, primarily due to the longer reload time, larger profile, and potentially weaker armour (although much better mobility).
Specifications
Armament
- 125mm smoothbore
- Two-plane stabiliser
- 3BM22 APFSDS
- 425mm @ 0° @ 10m
- 3BM42 APFSDS
- 457mm @ 0° @ 10m
- 125-I APFSDS
- 466mm @ 0° @ 10m
- 3BK18M HEAT-FS
- 550mm @ 0°
- 3OF26 HE
- 42mm @ 0°
- 1x 7.62mm
- 1x 14.5mm KPV
- 1x Igla SAM launcher
- Laser rangefinder
- NVDs
Armour
- Hull
- Unknown. ~330mm against KE, ~450mm against CE (estimated) + ERA (~400mm CE) (estimated) frontally
- Turret
- Unknown. 900mm effective frontally (claimed)
Mobility
- Speed
- 70km/h (claimed)
- Weight
- 44t (claimed)
- Engine power
- 1200hp (claimed), 27.3hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 4
- Smoke grenade launchers
- 8x
Images
Spoiler
Sources
Spoiler
The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun — Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
