North Korean indigenous tanks and armoured vehiclesBy Massimo Tessitori |
Chonma-ho I,II,III |
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Chonma-ho I is a lightened copy of the Soviet T-62 tank, built in North
Korea. Imported T-62s are called in the same way. Chonma-ho II is the same, updated with a laser rangefinder over the gun barrel. Chonma-ho III is said to be a modernized version with skirts and additional protections, but never observed in photos. |
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Chonma-ho IV,V,VI |
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Chonma-ho IV is the first version with laminate turret, and can have
ERA or additive armour. Chonma-ho V is the second version, with slightly enlarged and thickened laminate turret. It includes a base model (called Chonma-98 in NK) and one with additive protection (called Chonma-214, in the photo aside) Chonma-ho VI is an unclear designation, probably relative to Chonma-215 and 216 (see Pokpung-ho below) |
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Pokpung-ho |
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Pokpung-ho is a widely utilized western designation for the latest versions
of Chonma-ho with lengthened hull and six bearing wheels for each side,
improved fire control system with wind sensor. Pokpung-ho I (Chonma-215) is armed with 115 mm gun; Pokpung-ho II (Chonma-216) is armed (probably) with 125 mm gun and improved frontal armour. The tank could be armed with externally mounted antitank and Manpad SA missiles. |
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Songun-ho |
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Songun-ho is derived from Pokpung-ho; the main difference is the
wide cast turret armed with 125 mm gun; other visible differences include
the covers over the fenders that give the hull a flush look, and probably
a more powerful engine. Songun-ho was first shown in parade in 2010. It can have reactive armour on a limited part of the front and top of the turret, and (always) on part of the front glacis. It can be armed with a Manpad SA missile close to the commander's hatch. |
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PT-85 (M-1981 Shin'heung) |
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Known in the west as PT-85, this vehicle (whose North Korean name
is Model 1981 "Shin'heung", Rise) is a light amphibious tank,
inspired by the PT-76 but based on a stretched and heavily modified
hull of WZ-531. |
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M-2009 Chunma-D APC |
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The M-2009, Chunma-D (Race horse, in Korean) is an infantry combat vehicle based on the hull of the PT-85 amphibious tank. The turret is nearly identical to that of 6x6 and 8x8 M-1912 wheeled APC, armed with 2 14.5 heavy machine guns plus a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The infantry, presumably 8 men, has access from doors on both the sides of the hull. |
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M-2010 8x8 APC derived from BTR-80 |
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North Korea has started the production of a modified clone of the BTR-80. The vehicle was first revealed during the parade of 2010, and is believed to be produced in quantity. Its name is still unclear; it is usually referred as M-2010 in the west, and a well informed site refers it as Chunma-D. It differs from its Soviet antecessor because of its new turret armed with two 14.5 mm machine guns, for its deck and many other details. |
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In the same parade of 2010 where the new M-2010 8x8, derived from BTR-80, was revealed, it was shown also a mass produced 6x6 version of the vehicle. Compared to its 8x8 elder sister, the hull was clearly shortened; the doors zone was changed, as the rear deck and plate layout. |
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The informations and images on these pages are collected from many sources
on the web. The main ones are:
http://spioenkop.blogspot.nl/2014/01/north-korea-and-her-fighting-vehicles.html
http://kpablogger.tumblr.com/
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?219230-The-Pok-pung-Ho-II-IV-Photos-and-Discussion-thread
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?242178-Information-and-images-on-North-Korean-tanks&p=7445634#post7445634
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chonma-ho
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokpung-ho
http://www.armyrecognition.com/?Itemid=31&option=com_ebygallery&limitstart=40&task=album&sw=0&path=Military_parade_North_Korea_Korean_army
http://www.pmulcahy.com/tanks/north_korean_tanks.htm
http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=393
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=49690
http://www.military-today.com/apc/north_korean_8x8_apc.htm
(plus the 6x6 related APC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tsRHGjARLY
(AA self propelled guns)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb8kZLd6vb0
good close images of vehicles on parade in 2013, from the left side.