Pokpung-ho North Korea Main Battle Tank (MBT)

tiers

false

true

false

categories

"WEG"

"Tanks"

"Main Battle Tanks"

"Tier2"

notes

"The P'okp'ung-ho or spelled Pokpung-ho (Korean: 폭풍호) is a North Korean main battle tank (MBT) developed in the 1990s. The tank may incorporate technology found in the T-62, T-72, and Ch'onma-ho MBTs. Outside parties codename the tank M-2002 because the tank went through performance trials on February 16, 2002 (therefore being officially confirmed by outside sources), although the tank may have been in existence since 1992. The P'okp'ung-ho is only known to be used in North Korea. Unclassified images of the P'okp'ung-ho finally surfaced in 2010, which showed the tank design appeared to be developed from the later models of the Chonma-ho and influenced by the T-72. The P'ok'pung-ho has better mobility, survivability and firepower than the Ch'onma-ho. Capabilities of the tank have been speculated to be nearly identical to T-90, however the limited access to technical information regarding the P'okp'ung-ho makes accurate comparisons difficult. The P'okp'ung-ho's primary armament was almost certainly the 2A20 115mm gun in early examples; however, later versions seemed to be armed with the 2A26/2A46 125mm smoothbore gun, which fires AP rounds produced in North Korea. The tank also has a heavy KPV anti-aircraft machine gun and a coaxial machine gun, as well as four smoke grenade launchers on the each side of the turret. The tank does not have the capability to fire ATGMs from its main gun. A model displayed at an April 2017 parade was equipped with two MANPADS launchers at the rear of the turret, two ATGM launchers mounted on the left side of the turret, and twin automatic grenade launchers mounted on the right side of commander hatch. Although the engine compartment and the layout show some resemblance to a T-72 hull, the chassis is basically a heavily modified version of T-62, with greater length and an additional pair of road wheels. The glacis plate of the Pokpung-ho is heavily sloped and protected by appliqué armor in the initial version with ERA added in later versions. The turret is reinforced with wedge-shaped armor modules in Pokpung-Ho I and seems to be protected by composite armour similar to the later export variant T-72M1 in Pokpung-Ho II with ERA added in Pokpung-Ho III. The panels along the tracks seem to be made of a light laminar armour. Although the horsepower of the P'okp'ung-ho's engine has been speculated to be as high as 1500, the engine is likely to have around 1000-1100 horsepower. It has been reported that North Korea rejected developing the 1,250 hp (930 kW) engine of the T-80, judging that it would not be suitable for a tank engagement within the narrow, mountainous terrain of Korea, and that it would prove to be of little difference on defensive missions. During aggressive missions, the P'okp'ung-ho can quickly engage the enemy due to its already excellent speed and acceleration, which is the basis of North Korean tank tactics. The fire control system of the P'okp'ung-ho is relatively modern and based on the presence of a meteorological mast is almost certainly computerized, and some reports claim that it may be based on the Chieftain FCS, which Iran may have illegally exchanged for North Korean technology. If the P'okp'ung-ho's FCS is based on the T-72's, it may implement the PNK-3 or PNK-4 day and night sighting system with the 1K13-49 periscope combined passive/active sight guidance system.[3] However the night sighting system is most likely to be the same with obsolete T-62. The quality of the equipment are likely inferior to the South Korean counterparts. The P'okp'ung-ho also has an infrared sensor (TPN-3-49 or TPN-4), a laser rangefinder and a search light, all of which allow the P'okp'ung-ho to operate during the night. Although the quality of the equipment are likely inferior to the South Korean counterparts, the P'okp'ung-ho is believed to be a considerable threat at medium/short range engagements, although lacking when firing from long ranges at night."

dis

name	"Unknown"
string	"00.00.000.000.000.000.000"

images

"Ho.png"

sections

name

"System"

properties

name	"Alternative Designation"
value	"Pokpung-ho; Chonma-Ho 215-216"

name	"Date of Introduction"
value	"2002"

name	"Proliferation"
value	"North Korea - Estimates range from 200 as of 2010 in the 105th Seoul Ry-Kyong-Su Guards Armored Division to 500 as of 2013."

name	"Type"
value	"Main Battle Tank"

name	"Manufacturer"
value	"Ryu Kyong-su Tank Factory"

name	"Crew"
value	"4"
units	"ea"

name

"Dimensions"

properties

name	"Length"
value	"7"
units	"m"

name	"Width"
value	"3.5"
units	"m"

name	"Height"
value	"2.2"
units	"m"

name	"Weight, Combat"
value	"44.3"
units	"tons"

name

"Automotive"

properties

name	"Engine Name"
value	"INA"

name	"Engine Type"
value	"12 cylinder diesel engine"

name	"Engine Power"
value	"1,000"
units	"hp"

name	"Cruising Range"
value	"370-500"
units	"km"

name	"Speed, Maximum Road"
value	"60"
units	"km/h"

name	"Speed, Average Cross"
value	"INA"

name	"Speed Maximum Swim"
value	"Not Amphibious"

name	"Fording Depth"
value	"INA"
units	"m"

name

"Main Gun (Option 1)"

sections

name

"System"

properties

name	"Name"
value	"Chonma-216 (2A46)"

name	"Type"
value	"125mm Gun"

name	"Length"
value	"6350 mm"

name	"Weight"
value	"2675 kg"

name	"Muzzle Velocity"
value	"APDS: 1715-1800 m/s HEAT: 905-950 m/s HE: 760 m/s"

name	"Effective Firing Range"
value	"APDS / HEAT: 3000 m HE: 4000 m ATGM: 5000 m"

name

"Ammunition (Option 1)"

properties

name	"Name"
value	"3VBM3"

name	"Type"
value	"APFSDS"

name	"Caliber"
value	"125"
units	"mm"

name	"Basic Load"
value	"INA"

name	"Armor Penetration"
value	"140mm"

name	"Effective Firing Range"
value	"3,000"
units	"m"

name

"Ammunition (Option 2)"

properties

name	"Name"
value	"3VBK7"

name	"Type"
value	"HEAT"

name	"Caliber"
value	"125"
units	"mm"

name	"Baslic Load"
value	"INA"

name	"Armor Penetration"
value	"220mm"

name	"Effective Firing Range"
value	"3,000"
units	"m"

name

"Main Gun (Option 2)"

sections

name

"System"

properties

name	"Name"
value	"Chonma-215 (2A20)"

name	"Type"
value	"115mm Gun"

name	"Caliber"
value	"115"
units	"mm"

name	"Barrel Length"
value	"6.05"
units	"m"

name	"Rate of Fire"
value	"6–10/minute"

name	"Muzzle Velocity"
value	"1,600"
units	"m/s"

name	"Effective Firing Range"
value	"2,000 m-high target – 1,870 m; 3 m-high target – 2,260 m; 4,000 m AT-12 missile."

name

"Ammunition"

properties

name	"Name"
value	"3VBM-1"

name	"Type"
value	"APFSDS"

name	"Caliber"
value	"115"
units	"mm"

name	"Cartridge"
value	"115 x 728 mmR"

name	"Basic Load"
value	"INA"

name	"Armor Penetration"
value	"INA"

name

"Secondary Weapon System"

sections

name

"System"

properties

name	"Name"
value	"AGS-30"

name	"Type"
value	"Automatic Grenade Launcher"

name	"Caliber"
value	"30"
units	"mm"

name	"Manufacturer"
value	"ZID"

name	"Proliferation"
value	"Widely Proliferated."

name	"In Service"
value	"1990-Present"

name	"Length"
value	"1,165 mm"

name	"Weight, Unloaded"
value	"16"
units	"kg"

name	"Action"
value	"Blowback"

name	"Rate of Fire"
value	"400 round/min"

name	"Muzzle Velocity"
value	"185"
units	"m/s"

name	"Effective Firing Range"
value	"2,100 m"

name	"Feed System"
value	"29 grenades belt"

name	"Sights"
value	"Adjustable telescopic sight, day-night sight, mechanical sight, portable radar"

name	"Note"
value	"Main service grenade launcher in the Russian Armed Forces. Completely replaced complex AGS-17"

name

"Ammunition"

properties

name	"Name"
value	"VOG-17M"

name	"Type"
value	"HE"

name	"Caliber"
value	"30"
units	"mm"

name	"Basic Load"
value	"200 Rounds"

name	"Armor Penetration"
value	"INA"

name	"Available Ammunition Options"
value	"VOG-17M (HE) IO-30 (HE) IO-30TP (Practice) VOG-30 (HE) VOG-30D (HE) VUS-30 (Smoke) GPD-30 (HE)"

properties

name	"Note"
value	"The Pokpung-Hu can be equipped with a variety of secondary weapons to include: * 14.5 mm KPVT heavy anti-aircraft machine gun (300 rounds), * 7.62 mm PKT (Chonma-215/216) * Dual AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher, * Dual Bulsae-3, * Dual Igla MANPADS, * 7.62 mm PKT (Chonma mod.2017)"

name

"Anti-Tank Guided Missile"

properties

name	"Note"
value	"The Pokpung-ho is also reported to be equipped with the following ATGMs: * Dual Bulsae-3 (9M133 Kornet) * Dual Igla MANPADS"

name

"Fire Control"

properties

name	"Name"
value	"The fire control system of the P'okp'ung-ho is relatively modern and based on the presence of a meteorological mast is almost certainly computerized, and some reports claim that it may be based on the Chieftain FCS, which Iran may have illegally exchanged for North Korean technology."

name	"Computerized FCS"
value	"Possibly"

name	"Day and Night Sighting System"
value	"If the P'okp'ung-ho's FCS is based on the T-72's, it may implement the PNK-3 or PNK-4 day and night sighting system with the 1K13-49 periscope combined passive/active sight guidance system. However the night sighting system is most likely to be the same with obsolete T-62. The quality of the equipment are likely inferior to the South Korean counterparts."

name	"Infrared Sensor"
value	"TPN-3-49 or TPN-4)"

name	"Main Gun Stabilization"
value	"INA"

name	"Laser Rangefinder"
value	"Yes"

name	"Searchlight"
value	"Yes"

name	"Note"
value	"Although the quality of the equipment are likely inferior to the South Korean counterparts, the P'okp'ung-ho is believed to be a considerable threat at medium/short range engagements, although lacking when firing from long ranges at night"

name

"Protection"

properties

name	"Hull Armor"
value	"Although the engine compartment and the layout show some resemblance to a T-72 hull, the chassis is basically a heavily modified version of T-62, with greater length and an additional pair of road wheels. Maximum estimated armor thickness without ERA - 500 mm vs HEAT."

name	"Turret Armor"
value	"The turret is reinforced with wedge-shaped armor modules in Pokpung-Ho I and seems to be protected by composite armour similar to the later export variant T-72M1 in Pokpung-Ho II with ERA added in Pokpung-Ho III."

name	"Applique Armor"
value	"Available"

name	"Explosive Reactive Armor"
value	"Optional"

name	"Active Protection System"
value	"INA"

name	"Mine Clearing"
value	"INA"

name	"Self-Entrenching Blade"
value	"INA"

name	"NBC Protection"
value	"Yes"

name	"Smoke Equipment"
value	"INA"

variants

name	"Pokpung-Ho I"
notes	"The initial variant. Armed with the 115 mm 2A20 gun from the T-62 series and equipped with applique and spaced armor. First observed publicly during the spring of 2010."

name	"Pokpung-Ho II"
notes	"A variant with heavily improved armament and protection, the Pokpung-Ho II mounts a 125 mm 2A26/46 smoothbore gun and has a new turret seemingly augmented with composite armour. ERA was also fitted on the front glacis. First observed publicly during the October 10, 2010 military parade. SA-7 MANPADS can also be fitted."

name	"Pokpung-Ho III"
notes	"Currently the most advanced variant of the Pokpung-Ho, this version possesses most of the traits of the Pokpung-Ho II but has additional reactive armour on the turret front and forward part of the turret roof."

name	"Pokpung-Ho IV"
notes	"An upgrade of the Pokpong-Ho I rather than II or III. 2 AT-14 Spriggan launchers fitted above main armament and 1 SA-16 MANPADS fitted on the turret rear."

type

"WEG"

version

1