Some time ago, a number of new armored vehicles were unveiled during a night parade in Pyongang - including nine new-type main battle tanks. At first glance, the contours of the turret and hull suggest that the vehicle (temporary designation: M-2020) is a completely new main battle tank. However, a closer look and analysis of some details (as far as recognizable) raises doubts and questions as to whether it is actually a completely new construction.
firepower
Nowadays, it should be assumed that the MBT has a 125 mm smoothbore gun and an associated autoloader. This would mean a 2 man turret crew.
In this context, however, the arrangement of the optics gives food for thought:
On the right tower roof there is another lookout head (possibly from the RiSch's main sighting device) in front of the commander's panoramic periscope. A corner mirror can be seen in front of it. The location of the aiming means on the right side of the turret roof suggests that two crew members are placed in the turret to the right of the main gun. This would preclude the existence of a loading machine in the known configuration. Until exact knowledge is available, it must be taken into account that the new MBT may still have the older 115 mm smoothbore gun (from the T-62) - and thus has a 3-man turret crew.
In terms of weapon effectiveness, using the 115mm smoothbore gun would be a step backwards. A possible reason for this could be that North Korea still has plenty of stocks of 115 mm weapons and ammunition. Other cost considerations may also play a role.
On the left side of the tower roof a small lookout can be seen. This could be a camera for the gunner's turret scope. Using a camera avoided breaching (and thus weakening) the turret's frontal armor on the right side. To the right of the mantlet there is an opening in the turret front armor - this could serve for the axis-parallel mantlet machine gun.
Apparently, the new MBT has a modern fire control system (FLA) - speak for it:
- relatively large viewing heads with two windows (day vision/WBG), (this raises the question: where does North Korea get the thermal imaging technology from?),
- weapon with field adjustment system,
- sensor mast in the rear of the tower with a relatively large diameter),
(dieser könnte auch zur Aufnahme von Laser-Warnsensoren dienen).
On the right side of the tower there is a twin launcher for LFK - possibly a replica of the Russian KORNET. From this it could be concluded that the main weapon and the fire control are not able to fire a barreled LFK.
The commander's all-round view (with 1:1 visual means) is severely restricted by the numerous superstructures on the tower roof. The MBT probably has a camera system that enables a 360-degree all-round view. The two small masts in front of the two hatches could be used for this. A third camera mast can be assumed in the rear of the tower.
agility
The chassis has 7 rollers. So far, all North Korean MBTs had six (based on the T-72) or five (based on the T-62) road wheels. Thus, the chassis could be a new construction. The additional roller (= longer hull length) could come from a more voluminous front armor.
On the outside, the chain shows a modern end connector construction.
Interestingly, there is only an exhaust outlet on the left side of the hull tail. This suggests the use of a transversely installed 12-cylinder engine of Russian design. After all, the most modern version (V 92 S) delivers over 735 kW / 1000 hp.
Apparently, only two small corner mirrors are available to the driver. This results in a relatively small field of vision - both in the vertical area - as well as to the left and right - which has an unfavorable effect on mobility when driving under the hatch! It is not clear whether a corner mirror can be exchanged for a night vision device. A camera system for the driver is also not visible in the area of the hull bow.
Survivability / Protection
The new MBT is likely to have special armor in the front and side sections in the combat area. The front part of the chassis is covered on the side by approx. 100 mm thick armor. It cannot be clearly defined from the images whether it is passive or reactive (ERA) armor. Mock-ups may also be installed in these early models. (Thus, the dimensioning of the hinges on the first element of the drive apron suggests that no greater weight forces can be absorbed here).
In the tower there are 2 x 3 large launcher tubes on each side for the effect to the front and to the side. This layout bears some resemblance to the Russian "Afghanit" system on the T-14 Armata MBT. The associated (radar) antennas could be located in the two boxes above the front launcher tubes and in the boxes on the side of the tower above the side launcher tubes (similar to the "Trophy" system). A few years ago, the use of distance-active protection systems for test purposes was observed in Chinese MBTs. North Korea may have received access to the necessary software with high computing power (high data rates) from China. A hollow space can be seen under the outer wall in the area of the launchers. This leads to the conclusion that the outer turret wall (at least partially) is only designed as a sheet metal construction (similar to the T-14).
In some photos, a view of the inner lower edge of the tower is possible. There is no welded construction here, but a round shape (like a cast iron tower). In this context, the question would have to be investigated as to whether the base turret of the new MBT came from the T-72 or T-62 series and was then only armored or disguised. The launcher tubes for the distance-active protection system embedded in the turret sides would create significant ballistic windows in the armor protection!
The driver's hatch is extremely thin-walled. This allows the assumption that the entire tub structure is a mock-up. This assumption is also supported by the fact that the entire upper bow plate has an extremely smooth surface. Since no individual elements are recognizable, no reactive armor should be installed here - at most the suggestion of a multi-layer special armor.
The entire length of the undercarriage is covered in the lower area by an apron made of elastic material (rubber or rubber with fabric inserts). The purpose should be to reduce dust generation and possibly a reduction in IR and radar signatures.
The aperture of eastern MBTs has been very small or narrow since the beginning; Views for the TZF and the axially parallel MG were moved to the neighboring tower front or to the tower roof. This solution has advantages in terms of ballistic protection. However, a weapon expansion forward is no longer possible and therefore very time-consuming. On newer Russian barrel designs (with bayonet combs; installed in the T-90)can at least the pipecan be expanded forward through the narrow tower mouth.
On the turret roof (especially in front of the left hatch) there is a kind of bomblet protection - with a structure thickness of approx. 80 mm. Due to the smooth surface, this could also possibly be a mock-up construction.
On the side in the area of the rear of the turret, four launcher tubes per side can be seen in a kind of turret basket. These are probably parts of a smoke grenade launcher. However, the equipment of the vehicle with 2 x 4 launcher tubes does not allow the delivery of a follow-up shot salvo.
final remark
Provided that the recognizable components of the new MBT work and show a contemporary level of performance, the new MBT M-2020 would have to be judged as an absolutely creditable achievement of the North Korean tank industry. It can be assumed that the tanks shown are prototypes. It remains to be seen whether series production will follow, since the MBT M-2020 can be expected to have a significantly higher unit price compared to the previous models (if all recognizable, modern components are implemented as functional and efficient assemblies).
After the phase of (sometimes significant) modernization and upgrade of the Russian MBT T-62 and T-72, the new MBT could point to an increasing independence of the North Korean tank industry (new chassis, new optronic equipment, distance-active protection system, etc.). The Chinese tank industry has undergone a comparable development. It can therefore be assumed that the North Korean (tank) industry receives relatively generous support from China for high-end products (e.g. WBG; DV, software, etc.). On the other hand, the external design of many components raises questions and doubts as to whether the components are in fact mock-ups. A clear answer to these questions will only be possible over time, when reliable and meaningful knowledge about the MBT M-2020 is available.
Rolf Hilmes
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