List of equipment of the Korean People's Army Ground Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of equipment used by the Korean People's Army Ground Force.

Small arms[]

Name Country of origin Note
Semi-automatic pistols
Type 64  Belgium
 North Korea		 Unlicensed copy of FN Browning M1900.
Type 66  Soviet Union
 North Korea		 Indigenous copy of Makarov pistol.
Type 68  Soviet Union
 North Korea		 Indigenous copy of TT-30 pistol.
Type 70  North Korea Self-designed and produced; Modeled after the FN M1900; chambered in .32 ACP.[1]
Paektusan[2]  Czechoslovakia
 North Korea		 Issued to high-ranking officers, pilots, and special force members.[3] In recent years the pistol is becoming the standard issued sidearm for most officers. Considered a copy of the CZ-75 pistol.
Norinco NZ-75  China
 North Korea
FN Baby Browning  Belgium Issued to spies.
CZ 82  Czech Republic Issued to senior officers.
Inglis Hi-Power  Canada Issued to spies and special force members.
Sub-machine guns
PPSH-41  Soviet Union
 North Korea		 Locally manufactured as the Type 49
PPS-43  Soviet Union
 China		 Both Soviet PPS submachine guns and Chinese Type 54s.
M56  Yugoslavia
Sterling submachine gun  United Kingdom Very limited use. Issued to elite special operations force units and spies for infiltration combat missions in South Korea.
vz.61  Czechoslovakia Used by special force units, and spies.
Shotguns
KS-23  Soviet Union
Carbine
Type 98  North Korea Resembles an AKS-74U but with a top-folding stock and has typically a helical magazine attached or in some cases a 30-round magazine. Preferred by mainly Special Operations Forces within the KPA
Assault rifles
Type 56  China Produced locally as the Type 58.
Type 63 assault rifle  China
 North Korea		 Used as a ceremonial rifle and in military parades.
Norinco CQ  China
 North Korea		 Limited use, issued to special force members.
M16A1  United States Limited use, unlicensed locally made copies, issued to special force members. Seen in use by North Korean Commandos in the Gangneung incident in 1996.[4][5]
K2  South Korea Limited use, unlicensed locally made copies, issued to special force members at least since 1990s.[6]
Type 58  North Korea Standard issue of KPA reserve forces.
Type 68  Soviet Union
 North Korea		 Standard issue among North Korean infantry and being slowly supplanted by the Type 88 or 98.
Type 88  North Korea Slowly supplanting the Type 68 as the future standard issue rifle of the KPA. Type 88-1 uses a side folding stock. Type 88-2 uses an overfolding stock and is modified and has a shorter AKS-74U style muzzle brake and barrel. It is designed to use a new NK-designed helical magazine that can hold between 100 and 150 5.45 x 39 mm cartridges.[7][better source needed]
QTS-11  China OICW-Type, assault rifle chambered to fire the 5.45 mm round, as well as (23–30 mm?) airburst shells from its bullpup bolt-action over-barrel launcher with magazine containing 3 to 5 rounds.[8]
Sniper rifles
Dragunov SVD  Soviet Union
PSL  Romania
PTRD-41  Soviet Union
Chogyok-Pochong  Yugoslavia
 North Korea
Light machine guns
Type 64  Soviet Union
Type 82 GPMG  Soviet Union
RPD  North Korea
Type 73  North Korea Indigenous design based on the Vz. 52 machine gun and the Kalashnikov PK machine gun design.
Nikonov machine gun  Soviet Union
RP-46  Soviet Union
Unknown?  North Korea Indigenous Gatling-type gun, chambered to fire 7.62x54mmR.
Heavy machine guns
DShKM  Soviet Union
 North Korea		 Standard issue.
KPV  Soviet Union
 North Korea
Indigenous 14.5x114mm gatling gun  North Korea
Grenade launchers
GP-25  Soviet Union
 North Korea
AGS-17  Soviet Union
 North Korea		 [9]
AGS-30  Russia
 North Korea		 Seen on Chonma-Ho 216 model 2017.[10]
Non-lethal
ZM-87  China Reported to have been used to illuminate two US Army Apache helicopters in 2003.[11]

Reserve small arms[]

(Used by Worker-Peasant Red Guards).

  • TT pistol – Soviet-made Tokarev batches, replaced by the locally-made Type 68 pistol.
  • Type 54 pistol Chinese-made Tokarev batches, replaced by the locally-made Type 68 pistol.
  • PPSh-41 – Under the designation Type 49.[12]
  • Type 100 – Japanese sub-machine gun, captured during World War II and used in the Korean War.
  • Mosin–Nagant – Now used for ceremonial purposes only.
  • M1903 Springfield – U.S. bolt action rifle captured during the Korean War. Used by Worker-Peasant Red Guard units. Sometimes used with a suppressor attached.
  • Murata Rifle – Captured from the Japanese in 1905. Still used today by Worker-Peasant Red Guard units.
  • Nambu Pistol – Captured from the Japanese during the Jeungmi Righteous War in 1907. Now in use with Worker-Peasant Red Guard officers.
  • PPD-40
  • SVT-40
  • SG-43 Goryunov
  • DP
  • RPG-2
  • Type 63 Rifle – Locally produced variant of the Soviet SKS carbine. Now used by ceremonial and reserve forces of the KPA.
  • Shin guntō – Japanese sword, captured during World War II and used in the Korean War.
  • Luger P08 – Unlicensed copy given to officers.

Armor[]

Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
Tanks
Type 59 Main battle tank 175[13][14]  China Type 59 tank - front right.jpg Modified with KPV heavy machine gun and on some vehicles, a 9K38 Igla.[15]
T-54/55 2,000[13]  Soviet Union T-55 4.jpg Can be equipped with spaced armor to defeat HEAT warheads.[16] Modified with 14.5mm KPV machine gun.[15]
T-62 970[13]  Soviet Union A T-62 tank of the Russian Ground Forces.
Ch'ŏnma-ho

1, 2, 3

~1,200[13] for all Chonma-ho variants  North Korea Originated as Korean upgrade of Soviet-supplied T-62 before shifting into local production.

1 has no rangefinder, 2 has rangefinder and 3 is a dubious designation possibly for Chonma-92.[17] 9K38 Igla only seen on early models with cast turret and not on the -92,-98 or -214 despite sharing similar turret to the -215 and -216 which are seen equipped with it.[17]

Distinctive due to two bolts near the top edge of the lower glacis plate.

Chonma-92

Chonma-98

Chonma-214[18]

?  North Korea Ch'onma-ho Render.png Later improved with T-62M derived applique armor, improved fire control systems, and improved sighting systems. Has been observed equipped with Reactive armor, uses laminate and welded turret, possible with composite armour.[18]
Chonma-215

Chonma-216

(generally known as Pokpung-ho)

600[19]  North Korea Turret is largely similar to Chonma-214, but chassis has 6 wheels per side.

Chonma-215 features manually controlled ATGM and 9K38 Igla.[15]

Chonma-216 features remote controlled ATGM and 9K38 Igla.[15]

T-72 Unknown  Soviet Union T72 Georgia.jpg The DPRK allegedly purchased a number of T-72 and its parts from various countries after being rejected an order of T-90 tanks.[20]
Songun-915[21] Unknown  North Korea Similar chassis to Pokpung-ho, however uses a dome shaped cast turret, similar in shape to T-62, but significantly larger. Fitted with 2A46 125 mm gun. Sometimes see with reactive armour and single or dual Igla.
M2020[22] Unknown  North Korea New prototype tank with strong resemblance to the T-14 Armata or M1 Abrams. Anti-tank guided missile is fitted to turret side.[23] It possibly has active protection system.[20]
PT-76 Amphibious light tank 550  Soviet Union Verkhnyaya Pyshma Tank Museum 2012 0181.jpg Some PT-76 are in reserve status.
PT-85 (Type-82) 50+  North Korea Chassis is likely a derivative of the VTT-323.[24]
Armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles
BMP-1 Infantry fighting vehicle 222[13]  Soviet Union Finnish BMP1 Parola 2.jpg .
VTT-323 (M-1973) Unknown  North Korea VTT 323.jpg Based on the YW-531.
Model 2009 (Chunma-D, or Junma-Le)[25] Unknown VTT 323.jpg Based on the PT-85 light tank hull but fitted with a turret from a M-2010 personal carrier.[25]
BTR-60PB Armoured personnel carrier 1,000[13]  Soviet Union BTR-60PB front left.JPEG First ordered in 1966.
BTR-80A 35[13]  Ukraine BTR-80A (3).jpg Imported from Ukraine, fitted with Shipunov 2A42.[26]
M-2010 (Chunma-D) N/A  North Korea Engineering Technologies - 2012 (3-14).jpg A modified clone of the BTR-80,[27] dual 14.5mm KPV machine gun and coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. Some have single Igla.[26]
M-2010 (6 x 6 version) N/A A shortened version of the M-2010,[28] fitted with same armament as above.[26]
M1992 Unknown  Soviet Union PL MWP Brdm2.JPG Locally designed APC based on the BRDM-2.[29] Armed with an AGS-17 grenade launcher and a 9K113 Konkurs ATGM.
8×8 APC Assault gun/tank destroyer N/A  North Korea Resembles American Stryker, carries either a gun resembling a D-30 122 mm howitzer or five Kornet-based ATGMs.[30][31][32]

Vehicles[]

Name Type In service Notes
Transportation and logistics
Mercedes G-Class Utility vehicle Seen during the funeral of Kim Jong-il[33]
UAZ-3151 Utility vehicle
Iveco 90.17 WM General-purpose truck
Ural-4320 General-purpose truck
FAW MV3 General-purpose truck
Volvo FM Tractor truck Supplemented by Sinotruk HOWO A7
MAZ-7310 Missile system carrier
WS-51200 TEL Transporter erector launcher platform 10

Artillery[]

Name Type In Service Notes
Howitzers
M-1985 152 mm gun-howitzer D-20/M1955; Type 83
M-1981 122 mm self-propelled gun Type 54 SPH
M-1978 170 mm SP gun-howitzer Largest caliber self-propelled howitzer in KPA service
180 mm gun S-23 180mm howitzer Largest caliber howitzer in KPA[34]
M-1975 130 mm self-propelled gun
M-1974 152 mm SP gun-howitzer
M-1992 122 mm self-propelled gun
M-1991 152 mm self-propelled howitzer
Tokchon (artillery) 100/122mm self-propelled gun/howitzer Mounted on ATS-59
M-1992 120 mm self-propelled combination gun
152mm self-propelled gun Jane's compared its ordnance with 2S19 Msta

[measure the photo by straightedge][35][36] Range over 40 kilometers.[37]

Mortars
Mortars Various North Korea is known to have some 10,000 mortars of different types and origin in its inventory
Rocket artillery
Type 63 107 mm multiple rocket launcher 400[38]
M-1985 122 mm multiple rocket launcher
M-1993 122 mm multiple rocket launcher Domestically produced RM-70[39]
BM-11 122 mm multiple rocket launcher
RM-70 122 mm multiple rocket launcher [40]
BMD-20 200 mm multiple rocket launcher 200 delivered in mid-1950s[41]
BM-24 240 mm multiple rocket launcher 500 delivered in 1955
M1985/M1991 240 mm rocket launcher Estimated 200+ in service between both models[42][43] Range estimates of 30–43–60–70 km (19–27–37–43 mi)[44][45]
KN-09 300 mm guided rocket launcher 10 estimated in 2016[46] [47][48]
KN-15 300 mm guided rocket launcher 250 km range[49] Improved KN-09.[50]

Anti-tank weapons[]

Name
Man-portable anti-tank
RPG-7 (local production with tandem warhead)
Type 69 RPG (Chinese rocket-propelled grenade)
RPO-A Shmel (assumed to be locally produced)
Anti-tank guided missiles
AT-3 Sagger (local production as Bulsae-1)
AT-4 Spigot (local production as Bulsae-2, upgraded version designated Bulsae-3 uses laser guidance)[51][52][53]
AT-5 Spandrel (assumed to be locally produced and used on Type 85 Susang)
AT-7 Metis
AT-9 Spiral-2 (unconfirmed)[54]
AT-14 Spriggan (local production)[55][30][31][56]
Recoilless rifles
B-10 recoilless rifle
B-11 recoilless rifle
SPG-9 (local production)
Self-propelled anti-tank guided missiles
Type 85 Susang
M-2018 ATGM (Anti-tank missile resembling Spike NLOS mounted on M-2010 6×6 APC)[57]
Towed anti-tank cannon
152mm extended D-20 derivative[citation needed]

Anti-aircraft weapons[]

Name Note
Man-portable air-defense systems[58]
SA-7 MANPADS (locally produced)
SA-14 MANPADS (locally produced)
SA-16 MANPADS (locally produced)
SA-18 MANPADS (locally produced)
FIM-92A (locally produced)
HN-5A (locally produced)
Anti-aircraft artillery
ZPU-4 (locally produced) Has been seen linked to a 'Drum Tilt' radar to provide automated, radar guided fire.[59]
M1939
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon
ZSU-57-2 Imported from Soviet Union.
ZSU-23-4 Imported from Soviet Union.
M1984 14.5mm (locally produced) Similar chassis to VTT-323, but features a ZPU-4 instead of turret. VTT-323 also seen with dual turret mounted 14.5mm machine gun.[60]
M1985 57 mm (locally produced) Indigenous turret fitted on chassis with six wheels on each side, −1 degree depression angle.[60]
M1992 30 mm (locally produced) Similar but taller turret to ZSU-23-4, fitted with twin 30mm, has radar on roof.[61]
M1978 37 mm (locally produced) Fitted on same chassis as Tokchon artillery, dual 37 mm autocannon, some fitted with raised windows for driver.[60]
HT-16PGJ on 9K35 Strela-10 chassis Replaces original Strela missiles with 4 missiles on each side.[60]

References[]

  1. ^ Forgotten Weapons (8 April 2015). "North Korean Type 70 Pistol at RIA" – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Confers "Paektusan" Commemorative Pistols on Leading Commanding Officers of DPRK Armed Forces". rodong.rep.kp. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  3. ^ "N. Korea's commemorative pistol". Yonhap News Agency. July 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "A Weapon Displayed From North Korea Special Forces and their Submarine". MBC News. 25 September 1996.
  5. ^ "Equipment of North Korean Special Forces and Espionage". Yu Yong-won's Military World, Chosun Ilbo. 16 April 2013.
  6. ^ "시사저널 – 북한 5만 특공대, 저공 침투 대기중". sisapress.com. 19 September 1996. Archived from the original on 3 June 2018.
  7. ^ "North Korean Helical AK Magazines". www.armamentresearch.com. February 4, 2014.
  8. ^ F, Nathaniel (21 April 2017). "North Korean "OICW" Combined Assault Rifle and Automatic Grenade Launcher Revealed During Day of the Sun Parade – The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017.
  9. ^ "North Korean Small Arms". Small Arms Defense Journal.
  10. ^ "North-korean-battle-tanks.jpg". The Inquisitr. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  11. ^ Lister, Tim. "North Korea's military aging but sizeable". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  12. ^ US Department of Defense. "North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, PPSH 1943 SUBMACHINEGUN (TYPE-50 CHINA/MODEL-49 DPRK) p. A-79" (PDF).
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g "SIPRI arms transfer database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  14. ^ Christopher F. Foss. Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005–2006.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "朝鲜的轻中型防空武器汇总 坦克底盘篇" [Tanks of the DPRK]. 知乎专栏 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  16. ^ "Vol. 2, No. 12 – December 2013". Kpajournal.com. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b "chonma-ho I, II, III". www.massimotessitori.altervista.org. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b "Chonma-ho IV, V, VI". www.massimotessitori.altervista.org. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  19. ^ https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/atp7-100-2.pdf
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b "朝鲜阅兵展示的最新坦克，是个什么水平？_政务_澎湃新闻-The Paper". www.thepaper.cn. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  21. ^ "songun-ho". www.massimotessitori.altervista.org. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  22. ^ "Rodong Sinmun". rodong.rep.kp. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  23. ^ Makichuk, Dave (2020-10-15). "North Korea's new battle tank baffles experts". Asia Times. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  24. ^ "PT-85 North Korean amphibious tank". www.massimotessitori.altervista.org. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b "M-2009 Chunma-D North Korean IFV". www.massimotessitori.altervista.org. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b c "朝鲜的轻中型防空武器汇总 步战车、人员输送车底盘篇" [DPRK's APCs]. 知乎专栏 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  27. ^ "North Korean M-2012 8x8 APC derived from BTR-80". www.massimotessitori.altervista.org. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
  28. ^ "North Korean M-2012 6x6 APC derived from BTR-80". www.massimotessitori.altervista.org. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
  29. ^ ARG. "M1992 Armored Personnel Carrier – Military-Today.com".
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b North Korea Threw a Nuke Parade to Flaunt These Frightening New Weapons. Popular Mechanics. 12 October 2020.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b North Korea is showing off more than just massive missiles, but its new military hardware may be less than meets the eye. Business Insider. 3 January 2021.
  32. ^ North Korean parade equipment counters conventional wisdom. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 22 October 2020.
  33. ^ IBtimes.com "Kim Jong-il's Funeral Held in N. Korea"
  34. ^ "S-23 (Nywka C-23) 180mm Towed Artillery System – Soviet Union".
  35. ^ "North Korea parades latest self-propelled howitzers, missile carriers – Jane's 360". www.janes.com.
  36. ^ "'Missing' missiles at North Korea parade are no surprise". IISS.
  37. ^ "Projectile launched from Kusong also determined to be "North Korean Iskander"". english.hani.co.kr.
  38. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. 116. Routlegde. p. 265. ISBN 9781857438352.
  39. ^ "N.Korea's 'conservative' display contrasts with past WPK celebrations | NK News – North Korea News". October 14, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-10-14.
  40. ^ Analysis: New combat vehicles and tanks at military parade in North Korea by Army Recognition Archived 2017-04-18 at the Wayback Machine – Armyrecognition.com, 17 April 2017
  41. ^ "BMD-20 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  42. ^ The North Korean M1985 MLRS & M1991 MLRS – Tanknutdave.com
  43. ^ "M1985 Multiple Launch Rocket System". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  44. ^ M-1991 240 mm Juche 100 MRLS Multiple Rocket launcher System Armyrecognition.com
  45. ^ North Korea deploys new 240 mm artillery rocket launcher systems along border with South Korea Armyrecognition.com, 30 June 2013
  46. ^ http://www.mnd.go.kr/user/mndEN/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_201705180357180050.pdf
  47. ^ The threat of North Korea's new rocket artillery – NKnews.org, 13 March 2014
  48. ^ "Document says North now has guided 300mm launchers". Korea JoongAng Daily.
  49. ^ North Korea Unveils New “Multiple Launch Guided Rocket System”. 38 North. 6 August 2019.
  50. ^ http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?art_id=201708261312001
  51. ^ North Korea has upgraded old anti-tank missile with laser guided system called Bulsae-3. Army Recognition. 4 March 2016.
  52. ^ Bulsae-2. Military-Today.com.
  53. ^ The State of the North Korean Military. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 18 March 2020.
  54. ^ ARG. "Ataka Anti-Tank Guided Missile - Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com.
  55. ^ "Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID)". November 1, 2015.
  56. ^ Crocodile Tears and a Monster Missile: A South Korean Assessment of North Korea's Military Parade. 38 North. 21 October 2020.
  57. ^ "North Korea parades latest self-propelled howitzers, missile carriers – Jane's 360". www.janes.com.
  58. ^ https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/160759/BICC_brief_47.pdf
  59. ^ Oryx. "A Visual Guide to North Korea's Fighting Vehicles". Oryx Blog. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  60. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "朝鲜的轻中型防空武器汇总 履带式车辆底盘篇" [Tracked SPAA of DPRK]. 知乎专栏 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  61. ^ "M1992 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
Retrieved from ""