Photos published on social media reveal M-1989 Koksan self-propelled guns transported by rail in russia, suggesting these are supplied by North Korea to the russian armed forces, though the total number of these artillery systems remains uncertain.
As it happens, the question is, how can Ukraine effectively counter such weapons, both with its existing arsenal and through potential military aid.
Read more: What Makes North Korea's 170-mm Koksan Self-Propelled Artillery Special, and Why Are russian Propagandists Interested in It?
To begin with, let's briefly recall the key specifications of the M-1989 Koksan. It boasts a firing range of 40 kilometers with conventional shells and up to 60 km with rocket-assisted projectiles. The rate of fire is approximately two shots every five minutes, though how many shot one unit carries is unknown.
Accordingly, to counter these systems effectively, Ukraine needs weapons with superior range and capabilities.
Ukraine’s current inventory includes systems like the M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS, which can fire GMLRS rockets at ranges up to 84 kilometers and theoretically can outrange the M-1989 Koksan in counter-battery warfare. Among barrelled artillery types, Ukraine could benefit from 2S7 Pion, PzH 2000, and Krab self-propelled guns, which offer a range of about 40 kilometers.
While these systems provide parity or slight superiority in range, they may not be sufficient if russia receives large numbers of Koksan units or gains access to rocket-assisted 170mm projectiles.
Given this uncertainty, it becomes critical for Ukraine to seek South Korea’s K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery system, which is particularly well-suited for this role, having been designed specifically to counter North Korean artillery.
The launcher is adapted to fire a variety of munitions, ranging from 130mm unguided pod rockets (range: 36 km), CGR-080 guided 239mm rockets similar to American GMLRS (80 km), and up to massive 600mm guided missiles with an attack range of over 290 kilometers comparable to ATACMS.
Moreover, for South Korea, a "test drive" for the K239 Chunmoo on Ukrainian battlefields against North Korean artillery would be beneficial to both assess its performance and boost its appeal on the global defense market.
Read more: South Korea Signals Possible Increase in Support for Ukraine Amid Deployment of North Korean Troops Near Border — ISW
