Featured North Korean Military Parades and Weapon OSINT

[Gary]

‘Large crowds and equipment’ mobilised for parade at Pyongyang’s Kim Il-sung Square
Associated Press in Seoul
Sat 10 Oct 2020 12.45 BST
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A screen grab taken from a KCNA broadcast shows the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, delivering a speech before the military parade. Photograph: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP/Getty Images

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, took centre stage at a massive military parade and public rally in Pyongyang early on Saturday marking the 75th anniversary of the country’s ruling party.
Outside observers were expecting the country to possibly unveil the latest weapons in its growing nuclear arsenal that threatens US allies in Asia and the American mainland.
South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff said early in the day that there were signs that “large crowds and equipment” had been mobilised for a military parade at Pyongyang’s Kim Il-sung Square during the early morning hours. In the evening, North Korean state television began airing a taped broadcast of the event, which began late on Friday.
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Goose-stepping troops were seen marching in the streets in front of the brightly illuminated square, as a military band performed while moving in formation, shaping the numbers “10.10”, “1945,” and “2020”, as well as a hammer and sickle — symbols of the ruling Workers’ party.
The performers and tens of thousands of spectators roared as Kim appeared from a building as the clock struck midnight. Kim, flanked with senior officials and smiling widely, waved to the crowd and kissed children who presented him with flowers before taking his spot on the podium.
Earlier on Saturday, masked citizens lined up to lay flowers at the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, the father of the current ruler, at Pyongyang’s Mansu Hill. A huge street poster highlighted the ruling Workers’ party’s symbol with letters that read: “Best glory to our great party.”
The country’s official Korean Central News Agency said residents in Kaesong and other regions who had lost their homes to recent natural disasters marked the party anniversary by moving into newly built houses and that they praised Kim Jong-un for looking after them as “their father”.
KCNA also reported that the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, sent a letter to Kim saying that Beijing would continue to “defend, consolidate and develop” bilateral relations with Pyongyang.
This year’s anniversary comes amid deadlocked nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration and deepening economic woes that analysts say are shaping up as one of the biggest tests of Kim’s leadership since he took power in 2011.
South Korean officials and analysts have said North Korea could showcase a new intercontinental ballistic missile or other nuclear-capable weapons during a parade, which would highlight how the country has continued to expand its military capabilities amid stalled nuclear talks.
Kim pledged in December to soon unveil a “new strategic weapon to the world” while declaring to bolster his nuclear deterrent in face of “gangster-like” US pressure.
But while he may put on a huge display of his military hardware for the anniversary, analysts say Kim is likely to avoid direct or harsh criticism towards Washington during his speech at the event and instead focus on a domestic message of unity in the face of economic hardship.
Many analysts believe North Korea will avoid serious negotiations or provocations before the US presidential election in November, as a change in US administrations could force the country to recalibrate its approach toward Washington and Seoul.

North Korea: military parade marks ruling party's 75th anniversary

Kim Jong-un tells crowds the country will ‘fully mobilise’ its nuclear force if threatened

www.theguardian.com

 

[Gary]

Lots of Copycats

 

[Gary]

 

[Gary]

Heavy missile artillery on display

 

[Gary]

ATGM and NLOS ATGM

 

[Gary]

SP Artillery

 

[Gary]

Lots of Copycats

the stryker copycats seems to based on a BTR type (M-2012) hull with D-30 Guns on it

 

[Gary]

this is likely a brand new design with 7road wheels,

previous NK most modern tanks, Pokpung Ho had only 6

 

[BordoEnes]

If anything, these weapons looking good as hell. Though knowing N.Korea these are just for show and are barelly used.

 

[Gary]

If anything, these weapons looking good as hell. Though knowing N.Korea these are just for show and are barelly used.

I especially liked the T-14 copycat. Although there a huge question marks on what's the level of sophistication on the optics and Electronic inside.

 

[Ryder]

Defend the Headquarters of the Revolution

 

[Xenon54]

Seems like Kim Jong Un modernized the army quite a lot, compare it to this parade when Kim Jon Il was alive.

 

[Levina]

75 years? I'm surprised that in last 75 yrs the common populace never dared to stand up against the dynasts. Let me guess they must be really happy in North Korea. Or are they?

 

[Cabatli_TR]

How can an isolated state like N.Korea sustain such big scale programs ? Dozen of missiles, armpred vehicles, new tanks, SPH, ATGM, ICBMs, nuclear armed submarines...etc

 

[Xenon54]

How can an isolated state like N.Korea sustain such big scale programs ? Dozen of missiles, armpred vehicles, new tanks, SPH, ATGM, ICBMs, nuclear armed submarines...etc

Its possible when large parts of the population is starving and most workers are basically slaves of the goverment.

 

[Hexciter]

Said to be the world’s the largest road mobile ICBM and TEL

 

[Gary]

What we are seeing is likely more aspirational than operational, but that can change quicker than most care to admit.​

BYJOSEPH TREVITHICK AND TYLER ROGOWAYOCTOBER 12, 2020

New massive intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles were the clear stars of North Korea's recent military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the one-party dictatorship's Workers' Party of Korea. However, a number of major conventional weapons developments were also on display, as you can read in The War Zone's initial reporting on the event. This included prototypes of a new main battle tank that appeared similar, at least visually, to more modern tanks, such as Russia's T-14 Armata and China's Type 99, though its actual capabilities and basic performance are unclear.
At least nine of the tanks, a designation for which does not appear to have yet emerged, were part of the procession through Kim Il Sung Square in the North Korean capital Pyongyang on Oct. 10, 2020. All of them were wearing what looked to be a tan-and-brown desert camouflage scheme, which would not be particularly useful on the Korean Peninsula. The paint job seems more intended to further evoke comparisons to more modern Russia, Chinese, and western designs, which often do feature desert-focused camouflage.

NORTH KOREAN STATE MEDIA
Examples of North Korea's new prototype tank on parade on Oct. 10, 2020.

NORTH KOREAN STATE MEDIA
Virtually no hard information exists about this tank so far, but a number of key details are readily visible. It notably has seven wheels on each side, meaning that it is longer than North Korea's other indigenous tank designs, including the most recent new type, the Songun-ho, which first emerged publicly in 2010.
A 2015 U.S. Army Threat Tactics Report on North Korea that the author previously obtained via the Freedom of Information Act describes that existing tank, also known as the Songun-915, as combining "technologies of the Soviet/Russian T-62, T-72, T-80, and T-90, and the Chinese-produced Type 88 main battle tank." However, despite continual updates and additions, it is clearly a dated design with the 1960s-era T-62 at its core, as its most evidenced by its dome-shaped turret.

NORTH KOREAN STATE MEDIA CAPTURE
A North Korean Songun-ho tank during a previous military parade.
The tank that appeared over the weekend has a distinctly new hull shape, at least outwardly, from those older tanks. Visually, it is similar, in broad strokes, to that of the T-14, including the presence of slat armor grills on either side of the rear of the hull where the engine is located. Slat armor is primarily intended to defeat infantry anti-tank rockets, causing their high-explosive anti-tank warheads (HEAT) warheads to detonate at a sub-optimal moment and reducing the amount of damage they are likely to produce. There are additional skirts hanging under the sides of the hull on either side to provide some additional protection for the road wheels, as well.

.

NORTH KOREAN STATE MEDIA CAPTURE
A close-up of the side of North Korea's new tank, showing the slat armor grills at the rear, as well as the side skirts in front of the road wheels.

LIYA PITALEV/SPUTNIK VIA AP
A Russian T-14.

MAX SMITH VIA WIKIMEDIA
A Chinese Type 99 tank, another design that North Korea's new tank looks broadly visually reminiscent of.
The turret has a distinct and more angular shape from previous North Korean tanks and has slat armor at the rear, as well. The main gun appears to be a 125mm type, likely the same weapon used on the Songun-ho and the later version of that tank's predecessor, the Pokpung-ho. The guns on those tanks are understood to be derived in some way from the Russian 2A46.
On the right side of the turret, there is a two-tube anti-tank guided missile launcher. This launcher appears somewhat similar to ones that North Korea has mounted on the top of the turrets of its existing tanks in the past and that may be used to fire "Firebird" missiles, derived from the Soviet-era 9K111.

AP
North Korean Pokpung-ho tanks with two-tube anti-tank missile launchers mounted on top of the left side of the turret take part in a previous parade.
The new tank's turret is otherwise covered in various boxes, typically associated with optics and range-finders, and has smoke grenade launchers at the rear. Most notably, however, is the addition of what appears to at least be meant to stand in for an active protection system (APS) consisting of four banks of three tubular launchers, positioned on the front corners and the left and right sides of the turret. An enclosure, which typically houses a radar sensor in similar APS systems, is positioned above each one.
This configuration overall is generally similar to that of the Russian Afghanit APS on the T-14. If the North Korean system is meant to function in the same way, it means that the sensors detect incoming anti-tank guided missiles or infantry anti-tank rockets and then fire interceptors from the tubular launchers at the appropriate moment, neutralizing the threat.

NORTH KOREAN STATE MEDIA CAPTURE
A close up of the turret on North Korea's new tank showing what appears to be an APS, among other features.

LIYA PITALEV/SPUTNIK VIA AP
A close-up of the turret on a T-14 showing the tubular countermeasures launchers along the base of the turret associated with the Afghanit APS
However, the positioning of the countermeasures launchers on North Korea's new tank raises questions about how much coverage this particular system offers, especially against more advanced top-attack anti-tank missiles, such as the American FGM-148 Javelin. Even the side-saddle missile launcher looks like it blocks some of the system's coverage on one of its sides. The reality is that, while the Soviet Union developed the first APS in the late 1970s, the technology behind the miniaturized radars and other sensors, as well as and interceptors found in more modern systems is complex and may still be beyond the reach of North Korea at present.
As such, it's very possible that what we're seeing on these prototype tanks is aspirational and just a mock-up of a system that North Korea is now in the process of developing. It is certainly something that the regime in Pyongyang would be interested in adding to its tanks. Countries around the world are pursuing similar efforts to integrate, or trying to integrate, APSs to their tanks and other heavy armored vehicles as anti-tank guided missiles, as well as infantry anti-tank rockets, continue to become more capable and those threats increasingly proliferate.
Despite the comparison to other tanks, such the T-14, and especially the latest version of the U.S. Army's M1 Abrams tank, it is hard to imagine that the North Korean design is anywhere near as advanced. Unlike, the T-14, for example, this North Korean tank still has a manned turret and wouldn't feature the Russian vehicle's complex remote vision system, seen in the video below, for its crew of three, who all sit together in the front hull.

When it comes to sensor, communications, and networking capabilities, in particular, this tank won't even approach that of either the T-14 or the Chinese Type 99, let alone the M1A2 SEPv3. The various boxes seen on the examples on parade could well be empty, meant to only reflect systems that North Korea hopes to integrate into the design as time goes on.

In addition, just having angular lines akin to those on the American tank also does not mean the North Korean one has anywhere near the same kind of complex composite passive armor, which includes layers of ceramics and depleted uranium, either. The armor packages for the Abrams, which have been continually improved upon over the years, are so advanced and sensitive that the development of the initial "special armor" configuration for the tank was originally conducted within a top-secret Special Access Program nicknamed Green Grape.

Since the side skirts obscure the road wheels, it not possible to tell for sure, but it seems very plausible that the underlying chassis over this new North Korean tank still owes much to old Soviet designs, as well. The Pokpung-ho, and subsequent Songun-Ho, both use an extended version of the chassis of the previous Chonma-ho, which was itself derived from the Soviet T-62. It's not hard to believe that the North Koreans built on that proven design, with which they now have great experience with, in developing this latest tank rather than starting entirely from scratch.

With all this in mind, the vehicle that North Korea put on parade is most likely to reflect what the country envisions as a "future tank" and not what they are fielding as an operationally useful design today.

All this being said, whatever its capabilities and performance, it is important to note that this new tank does highlight how North Korea's heavy machinery industries have been able to continue their work, with or without foreign assistance, in the face of international sanctions, especially from the United States. Even if a final version of this tank turns out to be heavily based on technical information acquired abroad and is full of foreign-made systems, sourced legally or illicitly, that would underscore the ability of the regime in Pyongyang to obtain the resources necessary to continue expanding and advancing the technological capabilities of its war machine.

North Korea is also known to be a relatively prolific arms exporter itself, in spite of the international community's attempts to curtail this trade. This means that this new tank, or portions of its design, may one day find its way into the arsenal of other countries that cannot afford or otherwise acquire more modern designs on the open market.

With North Korea itself calling these prototypes, it remains to be seen when, and if, they might actually enter any kind of widespread operational service and how capable those units would actually be when they roll off the production line. Still, they do show North Korea's armor aspirations and the Hermit Kingdom has proven to be successful in rapidly developing new military capabilities under Kim Jong Un. So, what may be a collection of ideas and placeholders for future technologies today, could be an operational land combat vehicle in a few years' time, in one form or another.

The War Zone will definitely keep a close eye out for any new information that may come out now about Pyonyang's new experimental main battle tanks.

Contact the author: [email protected]

We Take A Closer Look At North Korea's New Prototype Main Battle Tank

What we are seeing is likely more aspirational than operational, but that can change quicker than most care to admit.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Gary]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1315710374247882759

 

[Chocopie]

Last night North Korea paraded 5 new solid-fuel ICBMs on TEL, sponsored by China disguised as „lumber transporter“.

North Korea rolls out most long-range nuclear missiles ever at military parade​

Five new launch vehicles likely designed to carry solid-fuel ICBMs served as finale, state media images show

Colin Zwirko February 9, 2023

A close-up shot of the new solid-fuel ICBM launch vehicle, with closed missile canister so the missile itself cannot be seen | Images: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 9, 2023)
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. (Last updated at 4:20 p.m. KST on Feb. 9 with additional expert comments.)

North Korea unveiled more nuclear weapons than it ever has at a single time during a military parade on Wednesday, including a new apparent solid-fuel long-range missile and at least 11 previously tested intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

State media images show five new launch vehicles that appear designed to carry solid-fueled ICBMs and served as the pageant’s grand finale. The transporter erector launchers (TELs) carried large missile canisters, but the missiles themselves were not visible.

North Korea can already strike the U.S. mainland with its liquid-fuel ICBMs, but solid-fuel missiles can be readied more quickly and transported more easily.

The procession also featured at least 11 liquid-fuel Hwasong-17 ICBMs on their 11-axle TELs, nearly tripling the previous high of just four of this missile type that appeared at a time during the Oct. 2020 parade and again at the April 2022 parade.

The new suspected solid-fuel ICBM launch vehicles roll through the square to end the military parade | Images: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 9, 2023)

At least 11 of the Hwasong-17 ICBM with its distinct white nosecone appear in a single photo in the bottom left | Images: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 9, 2023)

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un attended the parade with his wife and daughter, but state media did not report that he made a speech. The event officially celebrated the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army (KPA).

“Ultimately, this is where we’ve been heading since Kim gave the order to mass-produce launchers and warheads back on New Year’s Day 2018,” Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told NK News.

“It’s yet another demonstration by the North Koreans that they’re seeking to assert a nuclear deterrence relationship with the United States, whether Washington likes it or not,” Panda said.
He added that the Hwasong-17 is designed to carry multiple warheads and that the large number of them at the parade signals Pyongyang’s intent to “saturate existing and planned U.S. homeland missile defense systems” with more mobile ICBM launchers.

Their appearance also suggests North Korea has solved any “internal industrial bottleneck on the production of large TELs,” Panda said.

Short-range missile systems | Images: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 9, 2023)

Soldiers marching in block formations | Images: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 9, 2023)

On the new solid-fuel ICBMs, Panda added that their launch vehicles look “considerably more detailed than the last mock-up we saw” at a 2017 parade and that this type of ICBM may be tested soon. Kim Jong Un publicly tested a new solid-fuel ICBM engine in Dec. 2022.

At least four types of short-range ballistic missile systems (SRBMs) were also visible at Wednesday’s parade.

A Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) report Thursday said tactical nuclear weapons units participated in the parade through Kim Il Sung Square, a typical reference to short-range systems.

No new surveillance or combat drones appeared in photos of the parade printed in the Rodong Sinmun, nor did the Hwasong-15 ICBM, intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), hypersonic missile systems or submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

Jets flew over the square after the thousands of troops marched passed through, followed by columns tanks | Images: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 9, 2023)

Joost Oliemans, a North Korea military specialist, told NK News that the images released Thursday are a sign of a “more muted parade in terms of numbers” than previous parades, though he said state TV footage may reveal more weapons systems.

According to Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, Project Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo, North Korea’s military parades “propagandistically show the progress of [their] military plans but do not reflect the state of the KPA’s overall readiness.”

The events “don’t feature the other key assets such as naval, chemical and biological weapons, cyber and electronic warfare, and information warfare capabilities, and it also doesn’t show the weaknesses of the KPA such as logistics, welfare of personnel, as well as education and training,” he added.

Yellow dotted lines highlight new ICBM units and the dates of their founding | Images: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 9, 2023), KCNA (top-right, Feb. 7, 2023)

In addition to unveiling new missiles, state media coverage Thursday also featured goose-stepping troops wearing new uniforms and revealed new KPA missile units as part of a flag design overhaul.

One new flag for a KPA unit features a Hwasong-17 ICBM launching against a backdrop of a red and yellow globe, stating the unit was formed in Nov. 2022. North Korea successfully test-launched the missile for the first time on Nov. 18.

Another flag features a different but unidentified missile as part of a similar design. A year starting with “202” for sometime after 2020 also appears in its corner, though the rest of the date is not visible in available photos. More details could be revealed in a state TV broadcast later Thursday.

State media previously revealed another unit created in 2022 in its report on a military meeting held Monday.

That meeting also revealed the existence of a newly organized military branch called the “Missile General Bureau,” and new parade images show it was officially created on April 30, 2016.

Marching soldiers carry portraits of anti-Japanese fighters revered for opposing the Japanese colonialists in the early 20th century | Images: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 9, 2023)

North Korea rolls out most long-range nuclear missiles ever at military parade | NK News

North Korea unveiled more nuclear weapons than it ever has at a single time during a military parade on Wednesday, including a new apparent solid-fuel long-range missile and at least 11 previously tested intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). State media images show five new launch...

www.nknews.org

 

[Chocopie]

Kim Jon Un‘s wife rocking ICBM jewelery, his daughter looks like her mom. The royal family with over-decorated military brass. Sad bunch of criminals …

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1623329091410698240