North Korean artillery bolsters Russia's firepower shortage
In Russia, near the town of Tyumen, a rail transport of heavy equipment from North Korea has been observed, which includes M-1989 "Koksan" howitzers and missile launchers. These are being supplied to Russia by Kim Jong Un's regime.
The DPRK continues to support Russia with weapon supplies. Alongside ammunition, tank parts from the T-62 family, and light weapons, the North Koreans are also delivering M-1989 "Koksan" howitzers and Pukguksong-2 ballistic missiles.
Importing howitzers from Korea is crucial for Russia because their stockpiles and production capabilities for artillery barrels are insufficient. In contrast, the DPRK is well-equipped with artillery arms, such as the M-1989 "Koksan" howitzers, which can hit targets at distances of 40-60 kilometers. This range is comparable to modern 155 mm systems provided to Ukraine by the West, such as the German PzH-2000 or the Polish Krabs.
M-1989 "Koksan" - large range and impact, but mediocre accuracy
Conceptually, it is a weapon similar to the 2S7 Pion howitzers. However, in the case of the Koksan, the Koreans opted for a 170 mm caliber gun with a length of about 11 meters. This gun is mounted on a locally modified tank chassis from the T-54/55 family, creating an approximately 36-tonne howitzer with substantial firepower.
It fires shells weighing roughly 60-100 kilograms at a distance of about 40 kilometers or 60 kilograms in versions with a rocket booster. Accuracy is likely not the weapon's strong point, but a shell containing even several dozen kilograms of TNT can cause considerable damage, regardless of where it lands. These guns were a budget weapon used to bombard Seoul from fortified positions.
This weapon's rate of fire is estimated at 1-2 rounds per 5 minutes, operated by a crew of six soldiers. It is an outdated weapon, but it can still be effective with a high firing rate. The Russians, in essence, have limited options, and the Koksan is better than nothing.
