Despite the fact that the first information that Russia would receive the M-1989 Koksan 170mm self-propelled guns from the DPRK appeared back in October, 2024, and in November the first photo of their movement across the territory of russia was taken, only on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, did a video appear, which, apparently, was shot on the front line.
Thus, from the moment the russians received the North Korean self-propelled artillery systems to, apparently, the first episodes of their combat use, about 2 months have passed. It is currently impossible to confirm whether this video was actually shot at the frontline. In addition, it is currently impossible to identify the time and place of shooting. But the lack of snow cover rather indicates the southern regions of occupied territories of Ukraine, if, of course, the video was shot recently.
Read more: Italy Sent to Ukraine Not Only the SAMP/T SAM, but PzH 2000 and M109 SPG for Near Dozen Batteries
NEW: North Korean 170mm M1989 Koksan artillery systems have reached the front lines, used by Russian Army.Range: Up to 40 km with standard munitions.Up to 60 km with rocket-assisted shells.Firing Rate: Capable of firing 1-2 shells every five minutes. pic.twitter.com/q7pFZq1mYS— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 7, 2025
Let us recall that the detailed characteristics of the 170mm Koksan self-propelled artillery system from the DPRK are described in a separate publication. In short, we are talking about a long-range artillery system with a barrel length of 50 calibers and a declared firing range of up to 60 km.
However, it is extremely important to understand that such a range is provided only by active-reactive shells, the number of which is limited while the accuracy is questionable. With a conventional high-explosive fragmentation shell, this self-propelled gun fires up to 40 km. At the same time, the rate of fire of the system is estimated at 1-2 shots per five minutes.
Also, in the issue of the real combat use of this self-propelled gun from the DPRK, it is necessary to understand several aspects.
Firstly, this is that the 170mm Koksan self-propelled gun has no advantage over modern 155-mm self-propelled guns of the Western model. In particular, any artillery system in the caliber of 155 mm and with a barrel length of 52 calibers has a greater range and rate of fire than the North Korean self-propelled guns, surpassing the Koksan, both in terms of firing range and rate of fire.
For example, the German PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer with a shell with improved ballistics fires at a range of 40-47 km, and using an active-reactive projectile set an absolute record - 67 km. At the same time, the German self-propelled howitzer has a rate of fire of up to 10-12 rounds per minute.
Secondly, the Ukrainian military actively uses HIMARS for counter-battery combat. At the same time, the 170mm Koksan self-propelled gun is completely open and has no armored cabin. Therefore, the North Korean self-propelled gun is completely defenseless against high-precision GMLRS surface-to-surface rockets with tungsten warheads and air blast.
Thirdly, for the russians, obtaining North Korean Koksan self-propelled guns is obviously important in order to solve the problem of the shortage of large-caliber artillery. For this reason, Moscow is ready to use really extremely specific artillery systems with a unique caliber, which means dependence on supplies of ammunition of dubious quality from the DPRK for these self-propelled guns.
Read more: DPRK Sent a 240mm MLRSs to russia In Addition to Earlier Sent Koksan Self-propelled Guns
