List of equipment of the Korean People's Army Ground Force

This is a list of equipment used by the Korean People's Army Ground Force.

Small arms
Name Country of origin Image Note
Semi-automatic pistols
Type 64 North KoreaUnlicensed copy of the FN Browning M1900. Can be fitted with a suppressor.[1]: 100 [2]: A-72  Issued to high-ranking officers and spies.[3]
Makarov PM Soviet Union[2]: A-74 
Type 68 North KoreaIndigenous copy of Tokarev TT-33 with elements of the Browning Hi-Power.[1]: 43  Former standard issue pistol.[3]
Type 70 North KoreaSelf-designed and produced; Modeled after the FN M1910, Makarov PM, and the Walther PPK; chambered in .32 ACP. Issued to high-ranking officers.[3]
Baek-Du San North KoreaUnlicensed copy of the CZ 75 pistol.[4] Replaced the Type 68 as the standard issue pistol.[3]
CZ 82 CzechoslovakiaIssued to spies with suppressors attached.[3]
FN Baby Browning BelgiumIssued to spies with suppressors attached.[3]
FN Hi-Power Belgium
 Canada		Canadian-made copies issued to spies and special force members.[3]
Sub-machine guns
PPSh-41  Soviet Union
 China
 North Korea		Made licensed copies under the designation "Type 49" from 1949 until 1955.[1]: 100 [3] The Chinese "Type 50" can only accept box magazines, while the Type 49 only accepts drum magazines of the PPSh-41.[2]: A-79 
PPS-43 Soviet Union
 China		Both Soviet PPS submachine guns and Chinese Type 54s.[2]: A-80 
vz.61 CzechoslovakiaUsed by spies.[3]
Sterling submachine gun United Kingdom[4]
Shotguns
KS-23 Soviet Union[5]
Carbine
Type 98[3] North Korea Resembles an AKS-74 but with a top-folding stock and has typically a helical magazine attached or in some cases a 30-round magazine. Preferred by mainly Special Operations Forces within the KPA
SKS Soviet Union
 China
 North Korea		Locally manufactured as the Type 63.[3] Chinese Type 56 rifles also used.[2]: A-78 
Assault rifles
Type 56 ChinaChinese copy of the AK-47.[2]: A-75 
Type 58 North KoreaNorth Korean copy of the AK-47 produced under licence.[3][4] Standard issue of militia and KPA secondary troops.[1]: 177 
Type 68 North KoreaNorth Korean copy of the AKM.[2]: A-77  Standard issue among North Korean infantry and being slowly supplanted by the Type 88 or 98.[3]
Type 88 North KoreaNorth Korean copy of the AK-74 possibly with Chinese assistance. Slowly supplanting the Type 68 as the future standard issue rifle of the KPA.[3] It is designed to use a new NK-designed helical magazine that can hold between 100 and 150 5.45 x 39 mm cartridges besides the standard 30 round magazine.[6]
Type 88 Bullpup  North Korea Bullpup Type weapon based on the Type 88-2 chambered to fire the 5.45 mm round, fitted with a scope. Issued to special force members[7]
Unnamed OICW-type weapon North KoreaOICW-Type weapon based on the Type 88-2 chambered to fire the 5.45 mm round, as well as a 20 mm bullpup bolt-action over-barrel launcher with magazine containing around 5 rounds of programmable airburst grenades.[8][9]
Norinco CQ China Limited use, issued to special force members.[3]
K2 South KoreaLimited use, unlicensed locally made copies, issued to special force members at least since 1990s.[10]
M16A1 United StatesLimited use, unlicensed locally made copies, issued to special force members. Seen in use by North Korean Commandos in the Gangneung incident in 1996.[11][12]
Sniper rifles
Mosin-Nagant[4] Soviet UnionFitted with a telescopic sight.[2]: A-81 
JeoByeokBoChong M76 type North KoreaUnlicensed version of the Zastava M76 rifle.[3]
Dragunov SVD Soviet Union[2]: A-81 [3][4]
Machine guns
DP-28 Soviet Union
 China		DPM, Chinese Type 53, and RP-46 variants used by the KPA.[2]: A-85 [3]
RPD Soviet Union
 North Korea		Produced locally as the Type 62.[3]
Type 64[1]: 770  Soviet Union
 North Korea		North Korean copy of the RPK machine gun, produced under license.[4]
RPK-74 Soviet Union[2]: A-82 
Type 73 North KoreaIndigenous design based on the ZB vz. 26 and the Kalashnikov PK machine gun design.[3]
Gun-2 Minigun North KoreaIndigenous electric-powered Gatling-type gun, chambered to fire 7.62x54mmR.[3]
Type 82 Soviet Union
 North Korea		North Korean copy of the PKM machine gun. Replaced the Type 73 as the KPA standard general-purpose machine gun.[3]
Heavy Weapons
DShKM[4] Soviet Union
 China		Standard issue. The Chinese Type 54 machine gun is also used by the KPA.[2]: A-87 [3]
NSV Soviet Union[3]
KPV[1]: 770  Soviet Union
 China		Chinese copies are also used by the KPA.[3]
Grenade launchers
GP-25 Soviet Union Underbarrel grenade launcher. Can be mounted on all Kalashnikov-type rifles.[2]: A-76 
AGS-17 Soviet Union [2]: A-89 [3][4]
AGS-30 Russia Seen on Chonma-Ho 216 model 2017.[13]
Flamethrowers
ROKS-3 Soviet Union[2]: A-88 
Non-lethal
ZM-87 China Reported to have been used to illuminate two US Army Apache helicopters in 2003.[14]

Reserve small arms

(Used by Worker-Peasant Red Guards).

  • TT-33[2]: A-73  - Soviet supplied pistols and Type 68 copies replaced in frontline service by the Baek-Du San pistol.[3]
  • PPSh-41 - Used by the Worker-Peasant Red Guards.[15]
  • Mosin-Nagant[4] - Used by the Worker-Peasant Red Guards.[15]
  • Type 63 - North Korean copy of the SKS, used by the Worker-Peasant Red Guards.[3]
  • Type 58 - North Korean copy of the AK-47, used by second-line troops and militia.[3][1]: 177 
  • DP-28 - Soviet supplied machine guns and Chinese Type 53 copies replaced in frontline service by the Type 62.[3]
  • Type 73 - Replaced in frontline service by the Type 82.[3]
  • RPG-2[2]: A-32  - Replaced in frontline service by the RPG-7.[3]

Besides small arms, the Worker-Peasant Red Guards also maintains heavier weapons such as mortars, anti-aircraft guns,[2]: 34  and some obsolete vehicles such as T-34 tanks and SU-100 tank destroyers.[15]

Armor
Name Type Quantity Origin Photo Notes
Tanks
Chonma-ho-1
Chonma-ho-2
Chonma-ho-3		 Main battle tank 1,200[16] for all Chonma-ho variants  North KoreaOriginated as Korean upgrade of Soviet-supplied T-62 before shifting into local production.

1 has no rangefinder, 2 has rangefinder and 3 is a dubious designation possibly for Chonma-92.[17] 9K38 Igla only seen on early models with cast turret and not on the -92,-98 or -214 despite sharing similar turret to the -215 and -216 which are seen equipped with it.[17]

Distinctive due to two bolts near the top edge of the lower glacis plate.

Chonma-ho-4
Chonma-ho-5		 Later improved with T-62M derived applique armor, improved fire control systems, and improved sighting systems. Has been observed equipped with Reactive armor, uses laminate and welded turret, possible with composite armour.[18]
Chonma-215
Chonma-216		 600[19]  North Korea Turret is largely similar to Chonma-214, but chassis has 6 wheels per side.

Chonma-215 features manually controlled ATGM and 9K38 Igla.

Chonma-216 features remote controlled ATGM and 9K38 Igla.

Songun-915[20] Unknown  North Korea Similar chassis to Pokpung-ho, however uses a dome shaped cast turret, similar in shape to T-62, but significantly larger. Fitted with 2A46 125 mm gun. Sometimes see with reactive armour and single or dual Igla.
M2020[21] Unknown North KoreaNew prototype tank with strong resemblance to the T-14 Armata or M1 Abrams. Anti-tank guided missile is fitted to turret side.[22] It possibly has active protection system.[23]
Type 59175[16][24] ChinaModified with KPV heavy machine gun and on some vehicles, a 9K38 Igla.
T-54/552,000[16] Soviet UnionCan be equipped with spaced armor to defeat HEAT warheads.[25] Modified with 14.5mm KPV machine gun.
T-62970[16] Soviet UnionA T-62 tank of the Russian Ground Forces.
T-72Unknown Soviet UnionThe DPRK allegedly purchased a number of T-72 and its parts from various countries after being rejected an order of T-90 tanks.[23]
Model 1981 "Shin'heung" Amphibious light tank50+ North KoreaChassis is likely a derivative of the VTT-323.[26]
PT-76550 Soviet UnionSome PT-76 are in reserve status.
Armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles
VTT-323 (M-1973) Infantry fighting vehicleUnknown North KoreaBased on the YW-531.
Model 2009 (Chunma-D, or Junma-Le)[27]Unknown  North KoreaBased on the PT-85 light tank hull but fitted with a turret from a M-2010 personal carrier.[27]
BMP-1222[16]  Soviet Union.
M-2010 (Chunma-D) Armoured personnel carrierN/A North KoreaA modified clone of the BTR-80,[28] dual 14.5mm KPV machine gun and coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. Some have single Igla.
M-2010 (6 x 6 version)N/A  North KoreaA shortened version of the M-2010,[29] fitted with same armament as above.
8×8 APCN/A North KoreaResembles American Stryker, carries either a gun resembling a D-30 122 mm howitzer or five Kornet-based ATGMs.[30][31][32]
BTR-60PB1,000[16]  Soviet UnionFirst ordered in 1966.
BTR-80A35[16]  Soviet UnionImported from Russia, fitted with Shipunov 2A42.
M1992Unknown Soviet UnionLocally designed APC based on the BRDM-2.[33] Armed with an AGS-17 grenade launcher and a 9K113 Konkurs ATGM.

Vehicles
Name Type In service Notes
Transportation and logistics
Mercedes G-Class Utility vehicle Seen during the funeral of Kim Jong-il[34]
UAZ-3151 Utility vehicle
Iveco 90.17 WM General-purpose truck
Volvo FM Tractor truck Supplemented by Sinotruk HOWO A7
FAW MV3 General-purpose truck
Ural-4320 General-purpose truck
MAZ-7310 Missile system carrier
WS-51200 TEL Transporter erector launcher platform 10

Artillery
Name Type In Service Notes
Howitzers
M-1937 152 mm SP gun-howitzer Used by the 7th Corps and the 9th Corps of the KPA.[35]
M-1974 152 mm SP gun-howitzer
M-1975 130 mm SP gun
Juche-po 170 mm SP gun-howitzer Largest caliber self-propelled howitzer in KPA service
M-1985 152 mm gun-howitzer D-20/M1955; Type 83
M-1981 122 mm self-propelled gun Type 54 SPH
M-1991 152 mm SP howitzer
M-1992 120 mm SP combination gun
M-1992 122 mm self-propelled gun
155 mm SPH, model year Juche 107[36] 155 mm self-propelled howitzer Range over 40 kilometers.[37][38]Chassis based on T-72 tanks, with design more similar to the Raad-2 than PLZ-45.[36]
Tokchon (artillery) 100/122mm self-propelled gun/howitzer Mounted on ATS-59
180 mm gun S-23 180mm howitzer Largest caliber howitzer in KPA[39]
Mortars
Mortars Various North Korea is known to have some 10,000 mortars of different types and origin in its inventory
Rocket artillery
M-1985 122 mm multiple rocket launcher Domestically produced BM-21
M-1993 122 mm multiple rocket launcher Domestically produced RM-70[40]
M1985/M1991 240 mm rocket launcher Estimated 200+ in service between both models[41][42] Range estimates of 30–43–60–70 km (19–27–37–43 mi)[43][44]
Type 63 107 mm multiple rocket launcher 400[45]
BM-11 122 mm multiple rocket launcher
BM-24 240 mm multiple rocket launcher 500 delivered in 1955
BMD-20 200 mm multiple rocket launcher 200 delivered in mid-1950s[46]
[47]
KN-09 300 mm guided rocket launcher 10 estimated in 2016[48] [49][50]
KN-15 300 mm guided rocket launcher 250 km range[51] Improved KN-09.[52]

Anti-tank weapons
Name
Man-portable anti-tank
Type 69 RPG (Chinese rocket-propelled grenade)
RPG-7 (local production with tandem warhead)
RPG-29 (local production)[53]
RPO-A Shmel (assumed to be locally produced)
Anti-tank guided missiles
AT-3 Sagger (local production as Bulsae-1)
AT-4 Spigot (local production as Bulsae-2, upgraded version designated Bulsae-4 uses laser guidance)[54][55][56]
AT-5 Spandrel (assumed to be locally produced and used on Type 85 Susang)
AT-7 Metis
AT-9 Spiral-2 (unconfirmed)[57]
AT-14 Spriggan (local production as Bulsae-5 with 1200mm penetration)[58][30][31][59][60][61]
Bulsae-4M Laser beam riding capable of 600 to 800mm penetration.[62]
ATGM (possibly semi-active laser guided)[63]
Recoilless rifles
B-10 recoilless rifle
B-11 recoilless rifle
SPG-9 (local production)
Self-propelled anti-tank guided missiles
Type 85 Susang
M-2018 ATGM (Bulsae-4 mounted on M-2010 6×6 APC)[64][65]
Towed anti-tank cannon
152mm extended D-20 derivative

Anti-aircraft weapons
Name Note
Man-portable air-defense systems[66]
SA-7 MANPADS (locally produced)
SA-14 MANPADS (locally produced)
SA-16 MANPADS (locally produced)
SA-18 MANPADS (locally produced)
FIM-92A (locally produced)
HN-5A (locally produced)
Anti-aircraft artillery
ZPU-4 (locally produced) Has been seen linked to a 'Drum Tilt' radar to provide automated, radar guided fire.[67]
M1939
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon
ZSU-23-4 Imported from Soviet Union.
ZSU-57-2 Imported from Soviet Union.
M1978 37 mm (locally produced) Fitted on same chassis as Tokchon artillery, dual 37 mm autocannon, some fitted with raised windows for driver.
M1984 14.5mm (locally produced) Similar chassis to VTT-323, but features a ZPU-4 instead of turret. VTT-323 also seen with dual turret mounted 14.5mm machine gun.
M1985 57 mm (locally produced) Indigenous turret fitted on chassis with six wheels on each side, −1 degree depression angle.
M1992 30 mm (locally produced) Similar but taller turret to ZSU-23-4, fitted with twin 30mm, has radar on roof.[68]
HT-16PGJ on 9K35 Strela-10 chassis Replaces original Strela missiles with 4 missiles on each side.

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