The North Korean Pokpung-ho main battle tank is thought to be a heavy modification of the Russian T-62 with elements borrowed from other Russian tanks as well.
Despite a design origin that possibly dates back to the late 1980s, the Pokpung-ho ("Storm Tiger") Main Battle Tank remains something of an enigma to observers outside of North Korea. For a time, the tank was known in the West under the codename of "M-2002" as its existence was confirmed in the year 2002 while undergoing performance evaluation trials. It is believed that the Pokpung-ho entered service in 1992 and today represents one of the most modern tank offerings of the North Korean Army. The Pokpung-hu was further unveiled in public during a 2010 North Korean Army military parade, solidifying its existence to Western observers.
From what is known about the Pokpung-ho, it appears to be a wholly conventional tank design. She sports a low profile and battlefield silhouette which works to the crew's advantage when the tank inevitably becomes a target. The low hull and turret design is synonymous with modern Russian tanks so this is to be expected. The front hull features a sharply angled glacis (protected by applique armor) plat contouring up to the turret bustle. The turret itself is situated at the center of the design and is circular in nature with noticeable angled facings to help deflect incoming enemy small arms, artillery spray and projectiles. The barrel is set low in the turret's front facing and extends out over the forward hull. There is an identifiable fume extractor along the midway point of the barrel and no muzzle brake is apparent. The main gun is believed to be either of 115mm or 125mm caliber, though the latter is more likely. The Russian version of this gun can also fire an Anti-Tank Guided Missile. The main armament is complimented by a 14.5 KPVT anti-aircraft heavy machine gun mounted at the commander's cupola to the right side of the turret roof. A 7.62mm PKT general purpose anti-infantry machine is fitted in a coaxial mount in the turret alongside the main gun. At least eight smoke grenade dischargers (in two banks of two) are noted to each side of the turret. Tracks encircling six road wheels straddle the hull design and are covered over by thin armor skirts for limited protection. The Pokpung-ho is powered by a single 12-cylinder diesel engine (possibly 1,000 horsepower output) mounted in a rear compartment and suspension is of the torsion variety. The vehicle weighs in at over 45 tons and features an operational range of approximately 230 miles with a top speed most likely in the vicinity of 37 miles per hour. NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical protection for the crew is assumed as it remains a standard fitting on all modern tanks. Likewise, night vision is almost assuredly supplied to the crew. The crew is made up of three personnel in the tank commander, gunner and driver - the main gun loading presumably handled by an automatic loader mechanism as in the Russian T-90, though some sources suspect manual loading to be a part of the Pokpung-ho's operation. The driver mans a position at the forward left side of the hull.
North Korea claims that the capabilities of the Pokpung-ho are similar to the modern Russian T-90, itself an updated interim form of the Cold War-era T-72. The Fire Control System is thought to be somewhat modern (computerized) and based on foreign technology (possibly a British Chieftain obtained by way of Iran or a Russian T-72). From available imagery, it can be assumed that the Pokpung-ho makes use of an onboard laser rangefinder, infrared sensor and searchlight. All these features come together to make for a lethal offering, though direct warfare is ultimately the final gauge. At any rate, the Pokpung-ho fits well into armored doctrine that the North Korean Army holds to.
As it stands, the Pokpung-ho is an improvement over the Cold War-era Soviet offerings that the North Korean Army is capable of fielding (albeit in large numbers) yet it remains to be seen how this "new" system can compare to the latest generation of Main Battle Tanks the world over. With the North Korean nation always strapped for war-making resources such as oil - largely dependent on some outside allegiances such as China - large-scale exercises involving the Pokpung-ho are few and far between. in the event of total war, however, the Pokpung-ho would most likely spearhead any offensive operations against the South.
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Specifications
Ryu Kyong-su Tank Factory - North Korea Manufacturer(s)
MAIN BATTLE TANK
Primary armored ground combat unit of modern armies utilizing speed, protection, and / or firepower to spearhead armored assaults.
Frontline Asset
Frontline unit used to take direct part in forward operating actions against enemy positions / targets.
TANK-VS-TANK
Engage armored vehicles of similar form and function.
31.3 ft (9.53 meters) Length
12.4 ft (3.78 meters) Width
7.3 ft (2.22 meters) Height
97,665 lb (44,300 kg) Weight
48.8 tons (Medium-class) Tonnage
1 x 12-cylinder diesel engine developing 1,000 horsepower (suspected). Drive System
37 mph (60 kph) Road Speed
230 miles (370 km) Road Range
1 x 115mm OR 125mm main gun
1 x 14.5mm KPVT anti-aircraft heavy machine gun
1 x 7.62mm PKT general purpose coaxial machine gun.
8 x Smoke Grenade Launchers
AMMUNITION
36 x 125mm projectiles (estimated)
300 x 14.7mm ammunition (estimated)
3,000 x 7.62mm ammunition (estimated)
8 x Smoke Grenades
Pokpung-ho (Storm Tiger) - Series Designation
M-2002 - Possible Alternative Designation
Images
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