The East Asian region, jokingly referred to as the "Monster House" by military enthusiasts, undoubtedly sees North Korea as a country not to be underestimated.
Not only does it possess nuclear weapons, but it also has considerable expertise in conventional weaponry.
Prominent from the equipment lineup of the Korean People's Army is a powerful array of artillery weapons, showcasing North Korea's formidable military-industrial complex.
According to North Korean media reports, the country's top leader, Kim Jong-un, inspected a large-scale artillery training exercise, where numerous domestically-produced artillery pieces fired in unison, creating a spectacular scene.
Observing the weaponry used by the North Korean artillery, two models stand out:
One is the modern-looking "Chonma 107 Type 155mm self-propelled howitzer,"
The other is a 240mm caliber multiple rocket launcher mounted on Chinese heavy-duty off-road truck chassis.
First, let's take a look at the Chonma 107 Type 155mm self-propelled howitzer. This artillery piece made its debut at the 2018 North Korean military parade, where Western countries dubbed it the M-2018.
Previously, there was speculation that "this self-propelled howitzer showcased in the parade serves no practical purpose, merely for show, and might even be a 'parade model' without combat capability."
But now, it seems that the Chonma 107 Type self-propelled howitzer, capable of firing 155mm caliber shells, is not just for show. The North Korean military may have mass-produced and deployed this new type of self-propelled artillery for combat use.
The Chonma 107 Type self-propelled howitzer features a closed turret. While we're unsure of its level of informatization and automation, the fact that North Korea can independently develop and produce 155mm caliber long-barreled artillery surpasses most countries.
Currently, there are fewer than 15 countries globally capable of manufacturing artillery of this caliber and barrel length.
Manufacturing such artillery requires strong capabilities in metallurgy, electronics, CNC machine tools, materials science, internal ballistics, and external ballistics, among other fields, with no aspect being dispensable.
North Korea's ability to independently develop the Chonma 107 Type self-propelled howitzer despite arms embargoes and technological blockades can be considered a miracle.
As for the two models of 240mm caliber multiple rocket launchers, they are mounted on Chinese-produced heavy-duty off-road truck chassis.
These trucks include models such as the Yan'an SX250 from Shaanxi Automobile Manufacturing Plant and the Hongyan Sitail 91 series.
These trucks are not only used for personnel and material transport but also serve as mounting vehicles for various domestically-produced large-caliber artillery pieces, including the Type 81 self-propelled rocket launcher and early models of the "Hongqi-11" air defense missile, among others.
North Korea acquired these trucks through legal civilian product export channels.
Besides military use, these trucks are also used for civilian purposes such as fire trucks, aerial work platforms, and water tankers.
How North Korea utilizes these trucks is its own affair, and China has not violated relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions by providing military assistance to North Korea.
North Korea's artillery strength not only demonstrates deterrence against South Korea but also serves as a demonstration of defiance against the United States and the entire Western world.
While Western countries are striving to enhance their military capabilities, North Korea not only purchases large quantities of artillery ammunition from Russia but also conducts large-scale live-fire exercises, indicating that North Korea's military-industrial capabilities far exceed external expectations.
תגובות