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[edit]

Name Country of origin Image Note
Semi-automatic pistols
Type 64  Belgium
 North Korea
Unlicensed copy of the FN Browning M1900. Can be fitted with a suppressor.[1]: 100 [2]: A-72  Issued to high-ranking officers and spies.[3]
Makarov PM  Soviet Union [2]: A-74 
Type 68  North Korea Indigenous copy of Tokarev TT-33 with elements of the Browning Hi-Power.[1]: 43  Former standard issue pistol.[3]
Type 70  North Korea Self-designed and produced; Modeled after the FN M1910, Makarov PM, and the Walther PPK; chambered in .32 ACP. Issued to high-ranking officers.[3]
Baek-Du San  Czechoslovakia
 North Korea
Unlicensed copy of the CZ 75 pistol.[4] Replaced the Type 68 as the standard issue pistol.[3]
CZ 82  Czechoslovakia Issued to spies with suppressors attached.[3]
FN Baby Browning  Belgium Issued to spies with suppressors attached.[3]
Inglis Hi-Power  Belgium
 Canada
Canadian-made copies issued to spies and special forces commandos.[3]
Sub-machine guns
PPSh-41  Soviet Union
 China
 North Korea
Made licensed copies under the designation "Type 49" from 1949 until 1955.[1]: 100 [3] The Chinese "Type 50" can only accept box magazines, while the Type 49 only accepts drum magazines of the PPSh-41.[2]: A-79 
PPS-43  Soviet Union
 China
Both Soviet PPS submachine guns and Chinese Type 54s.[2]: A-80 
vz.61  Czechoslovakia Used by spies.[3]
Type 98 submachine gun  Soviet Union
 North Korea
Resembling the Vityaz but with an optical sight and a flash suppressor. Used by special forces.[5]
Sterling submachine gun  United Kingdom [4]
Shotguns
KS-23  Soviet Union [6]
Carbine
Type 98[3]  North Korea Resembles an AKS-74 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[5]
AK-105  Russia
 North Korea
North Korean copy of the Russian AK-105 with a shortened 20-round magazine carrying 5.45x39mm ammunition. The furniture such as the pistol grip and the lightweight stock are made of plastic. Issued to armored crews.[7][8]
SKS  Soviet Union
 China
 North Korea
Locally manufactured as the Type 63.[3] Chinese Type 56 rifles also used.[2]: A-78 
Assault rifles
Type 56  China Chinese copy of the AK-47.[2]: A-75 
Type 58  Soviet Union
 North Korea
North Korean copy of the AK-47 produced under licence.[3][4] Standard issue of militia and KPA secondary troops.[1]: 177 
Type 68  Soviet Union
 North Korea
North Korean copy of the AKM.[2]: A-77  Standard issue among North Korean infantry and being slowly supplanted by the Type 88 or 98.[3]
Type 88  North Korea

North Korean copy of the AK-74. Slowly supplanting the Type 68 as the future standard issue rifle of the KPA.[3] It is designed to use a new NK-designed helical magazine that can hold between 100 and 150 5.45 x 39 mm cartridges besides the standard 30 round magazine.[9]
Type 88 Bullpup  North Korea Bullpup Type weapon based on the Type 88-2 and ADS, Russian bullpup rifle chambered to fire the 5.45 mm round, fitted with a scope and an vertical handgrip. Issued to special force members[10][11]
Unnamed OICW-type weapon  North Korea OICW-Type weapon based on the Type 88-2 chambered to fire the 5.45 mm round, as well as a 20 mm bullpup bolt-action over-barrel launcher with magazine containing around 5 rounds of programmable airburst grenades.[12][13]
Norinco CQ  China Limited use, issued to special force members.[3]
K2  South Korea Limited use, unlicensed locally made copies, issued to special force members at least since 1990s.[14]
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.[15][16]
Sniper rifles
Mosin-Nagant[4]  Soviet Union Fitted with a telescopic sight.[2]: A-81 
Jeogyeok-Bochong Type 76  North Korea Unlicensed version of the Zastava M76 rifle. Issued to ghillie squad from KPA Special forces.[3]
Dragunov SVD  Soviet Union [2]: A-81 [3][4]
Machine guns
DP-28  Soviet Union
 China
DPM, Chinese Type 53, and RP-46 variants used by the KPA.[2]: A-85 [3]
RPD  Soviet Union
 North Korea
Produced locally as the Type 62.[3]
Type 64[1]: 770   Soviet Union
 North Korea
North Korean copy of the RPK machine gun, produced under license.[4]
RPK-74  Soviet Union [2]: A-82 
Type 73  North Korea Indigenous design based on the ZB vz. 26 and the Kalashnikov PK machine gun design.[3]
Gun-2 Minigun  North Korea Indigenous electric-powered Gatling-type gun, chambered to fire 7.62x54mmR.[3]
Type 82  Soviet Union
 North Korea
North Korean copy of the PKM machine gun. Replaced the Type 73 as the KPA standard general-purpose machine gun.[3]
Heavy Weapons
DShKM[4]  Soviet Union
 China
Standard issue. The Chinese Type 54 machine gun is also used by the KPA.[2]: A-87 [3]
NSV  Soviet Union [3]
KPV[1]: 770   Soviet Union
 China
Chinese copies are also used by the KPA.[3]
Grenade launchers
GP-25  Soviet Union Underbarrel grenade launcher. Can be mounted on all Kalashnikov-type rifles.[2]: A-76 
AGS-17  Soviet Union [2]: A-89 [3][4]
Flamethrowers
ROKS-3  Soviet Union [2]: A-88 
Non-lethal
ZM-87  China Reported to have been used to illuminate two US Army Apache helicopters in 2003.[17]

Reserve small arms[edit]

(Used by Worker-Peasant Red Guards).

  • TT-33[2]: A-73  - Soviet supplied pistols and Type 68 copies replaced in frontline service by the Baek-Du San pistol.[3]
  • PPSh-41 - Used by the Worker-Peasant Red Guards.[18]
  • Mosin-Nagant[4] - Used by the Worker-Peasant Red Guards.[18]
  • Type 63 - North Korean copy of the SKS, used by the Worker-Peasant Red Guards.[3]
  • Type 58 - North Korean copy of the AK-47, used by second-line troops and militia.[3][1]: 177 
  • DP-28 - Soviet supplied machine guns and Chinese Type 53 copies replaced in frontline service by the Type 62.[3]
  • Type 73 - Replaced in frontline service by the Type 82.[3]
  • RPG-2[2]: A-32  - Replaced in frontline service by the RPG-7.[3]

Besides small arms, the Worker-Peasant Red Guards also maintains heavier weapons such as mortars, anti-aircraft guns,[2]: 34  and some obsolete vehicles such as T-34 tanks and SU-100 tank destroyers.[18]

Armour[edit]

In 2024, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that North Korea had more than 3,500 main battle tanks, 560 light tanks, and 2,500 armoured personnel carriers (both tracked and wheeled) in service.[19]

Name Photo Origin Type Quantity Notes
Tanks
T-54/55[19]  Soviet Union Main battle tank 1,000[20]−1,600[21]
Type 59[19]  China Main battle tank 175[22]
T-62[19]  Soviet Union Main battle tank 800[21]
Chonma-ho[19]  North Korea Main battle tank 1,000[21]−1,400[23] Locally produced T-62.[23]
Pokpung-ho[19]  North Korea Main battle tank 100[21]−250[23] Based on the T-62, it incorporates technologies from the T-72 or T-90 tank.[21][23]
Songun-Ho[19]  North Korea Main battle tank Unknown Based on the T-62, upgraded with a 125 mm main gun, improved fire control systems, infrared sensors, and laser rangefinders.[24]
M2020  North Korea Main battle tank Unknown Based on the T-62, it externally resembles the T-14 Armata.[25][26]
PT-76  Soviet Union Amphibious light tank 560+[19]
M1985  North Korea Amphibious light tank Similiar to the PT-76, but uses the VTT-323 chassis.[27]
Armoured fighting vehicles
BTR-80A  Russia Infantry fighting vehicle 32[19]
BTR-50  Soviet Union Armoured personnel carrier Unknown[19]
Type 63[19]  China Armoured personnel carrier 500[28]
VTT-323  North Korea Armoured personnel carrier Unknown[19] Based on the Type 63/YW531.[29]
BTR-40[19]  Soviet Union Armoured personnel carrier Unknown
BTR-60[19]  Soviet Union Armoured personnel carrier 1,200 500 BTR-60PA and 700 BTR-60PB in 2011.[30]
BTR-152[19]  Soviet Union Armoured personnel carrier Unknown
M1992/1[19]  North Korea Armoured personnel carrier Unknown Based on the BRDM-2.[24]
M2010[19]  North Korea Armoured personnel carrier At least 10[31] 6×6 and 8×8 versions based on the BTR-60 and BTR-80.[24]
Unknown 8×8 APC  North Korea Armoured personnel carrier Unknown Two configurations: A 122 mm mobile gun system and a tank destroyer armed with five anti-tank guided missile launchers.[32]

Vehicles[edit]

Name Type In service Notes
Transportation and logistics
UAZ-469[33] Utility vehicle
Sungni 58 4×4 truck Locally produced copy of the GAZ-51.[33]
Isuzu[33] 6×6 truck
Ural-375D 6×6 truck Locally produced copies.[34]
ZIL-130[35] 4×4 truck
ZIL-131[36] 6×6 truck
Sinotruk HOWO 6×6 truck Civilian trucks converted for military use.[37]
Taebaeksan 96 Medium truck Less than 50[38] North Korean copy of the KAMAZ-58111,[32] built in cooperation with KAMAZ.[38]
ZIL-135 Transporter erector launcher FROG-7 launcher.[39]
MAZ-543 Transporter erector launcher Imported from Russia.[40]
WS51200[41] Transporter erector launcher 6[42] Heavy civilian truck converted into a TEL.[42]

Artillery[edit]

In 2024, the IISS estimated that North Korea had more than 8,600 towed and self-propelled artillery pieces, 5,500 multiple rocket launcher systems, and 7,500 mortars in service.[43]

Name Type In service Notes
Self-propelled guns
M-1992[19] 120 mm SP gun-mortar Turret mounted mortar on a VTT-323 chassis.[44]
M-1977[19] 122 mm SP howitzer D-30 mounted on a tracked chassis. Maximum range 15.3 kilometres (9.5 mi) or 21.9 kilometres (13.6 mi) with rocket-assisted projectiles.[2]: A-40 
M-1981[19] 122 mm SPG Maximum range 24 kilometres (15 mi).[44]
M-1985[19] 122 mm SPG A-19 mounted on a modified ATS-59 chassis. Maximum range 20.8 kilometres (12.9 mi).[44]
M-1991[19] 122 mm SPG Maximum range 24 kilometres (15 mi).[44]
M-1975[19] 130 mm SPG Maximum range 27.15 kilometres (16.87 mi).[44]
M-1981[19] 130 mm SPG
M-1991[19] 130 mm SPG Maximum range 27.15 kilometres (16.87 mi).[44]
M-1974[19] 152 mm SP howitzer Maximum range 17.4 kilometres (10.8 mi).[44]
M-1977[19] 152 mm SP howitzer D-1 mounted on a Type 63 chassis. Maximum range 12.4 kilometres (7.7 mi).[44]
M-2018 SP howitzer 152 mm,[19][45] or 155 mm caliber. Externally resembles the Raad-2.[46]
M-1978 Koksan[19] 170 mm SPG
M-1989[19] 170 mm SPG
Towed guns
D-30[19] 122 mm howitzer
D-74[19] 122 mm field gun
A-19[19] 122 mm field gun
M-46[19] 130 mm field gun
M-1937[19] 152 mm gun-howitzer
M-1938[19] 152 mm howitzer
M-1943[19] 152 mm howitzer
Multiple rocket launchers
Type 63[19] 107 mm towed multiple rocket launcher Locally produced under license. Over 5,000 built for domestic and export markets.[47]
VTT-323 107 mm[19] 107 mm SP multiple rocket launcher Type 63 mounted on a Type 63 APC or VTT-323 chassis.[47]
BM-11[48] 122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher 30-tube locally produced copy of the BM-21, mounted on a Ural-375D chassis.[34]
M-1977[48] 122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher North Korean copy of the BM-21 Grad.[34]
M-1985[48] 122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher 40-tube locally produced copy of the BM-21, mounted on a Isuzu 6×6 chassis.[34]
M-1992[48] 122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
M-1993[48] 122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
VTT-323 122 mm[48] 122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
BMD-20[48] 200 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
BM-24[48] 240 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
M-1985[48] 240 mm SP multiple rocket launcher 12-tube launcher mounted on a Isuzu 6×6 chassis.[34]
M-1989[48] 240 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
M-1991[48] 240 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
M-2015 (KN-09) 300 mm SP multiple rocket launcher Undergoing trials.[48]
M-2019 (KN-25) 600 mm SP multiple rocket launcher Undergoing trials.[48]
Mortars
82-BM-37[48] 82 mm mortar
120-PM-43[48] 120 mm mortar
M1943[48] 160 mm mortar
Tactical ballistic missiles
2K6 Luna Short-range ballistic missile 24 FROG-3 and FROG-5 in service.[48]
9K52 Luna-M[48] Short-range ballistic missile
Hwasong-11D Short-range ballistic missile Undergoing trials.[48]
KN-02 Toksa Short-range ballistic missile North Korean copy of the OTR-21 Tochka.[48]

Anti-tank weapons[edit]

Name Quantity Notes
Man-portable anti-tank
RPG-7 Locally produced as the Type 68.[3][49]
RPG-29[50]
Anti-tank guided missiles
3M6 Shmel[19]
9K111 Fagot[19]
9M113 Konkurs[19]
Bulsae-2[49] North Korean copy of the 9K111 Fagot, it uses a laser guidance system.[24]
9M133 Kornet Produced locally as the Bulsae.[24]
Recoilless rifles
B-10 recoilless rifle[3] 1,700[19]
Self-propelled anti-tank guided missiles
9P122 Armed with 9M14 Malyutka missiles.[19]
M-2010 ATGM[19] 8-tube launcher mounted on a M-2010 6×6 APC chassis.[51]

Anti-aircraft weapons[edit]

Name Note
Man-portable air-defense systems[52]
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.[53]
M1939
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon
ZSU-23-4 Imported from Soviet Union.
ZSU-57-2 Imported from Soviet Union.
M1978 37 mm (locally produced) Fitted on same chassis as Tokchon artillery, dual 37 mm autocannon, some fitted with raised windows for driver.
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.
M1985 57 mm (locally produced) Indigenous turret fitted on chassis with six wheels on each side, −1 degree depression angle.
M1992 30 mm (locally produced) Similar but taller turret to ZSU-23-4, fitted with twin 30mm, has radar on roof.[54]
HT-16PGJ on 9K35 Strela-10 chassis Replaces original Strela missiles with 4 missiles on each side.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Bluth, Christoph (July 2011). Crisis on the Korean Peninsula. Potomac Books, Inc. ISBN 978-1-57488-887-4.
  • Foss, Christopher F.; Gander, Terry J., eds. (1999). Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics 1999-2000 (20th ed.). Janes Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-1912-9.
  • Foss, Christopher F., ed. (9 June 2011). Jane's Armour and Artillery 2011-2012. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2960-9.
  • Hinata-Yamaguchi, Ryo (26 April 2021). Defense Planning and Readiness of North Korea: Armed to Rule. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-38309-6.
  • International Institute for Strategic Studies (2024). "Chapter Five: Asia". The Military Balance. 124 (1): 218–327. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593. ISSN 0459-7222. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  • Moltz, James Clay; Mansourov, Alexandre Y., eds. (2000). The North Korean Nuclear Program: Security, Strategy, and New Perspectives from Russia. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-415-92369-9.
  • Petrov, Leonid (2008). "Russia's Power Politics and North Korea". International Issues & Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs. 17 (2): 27–43. ISSN 1337-5482.
  • Schroeder, Matt (2023). North Korean Small Arms and Light Weapons: Recognition Guide (PDF). Geneva, Switzerland: Small Arms Survey. Retrieved 29 April 2024.

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