North Korea Deploys Warships and North Korean K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers to Frontline Units [Yang Nakkyu's Defence Club]

Full-scale Implementation of North Korea’s Nuclear-Conventional Integration (CNI) Strategy
Cheonma-20 and 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Set for Mass Production

North Korea has decided to deliver the destroyer "Choe Hyon Ho" to its navy next month and to deploy new self-propelled artillery to "front-line units" for operational use. Analysts say this marks the full-fledged implementation of North Korea's so-called nuclear-conventional integration (CNI) strategy.

Yonhap News Agency

On May 8, the Korean Central News Agency reported that "Chairman Kim Jong Un visited a 'major munitions enterprise' on May 6" and "inspected the production status of new self-propelled howitzers for three battalions, which are scheduled to be supplied to long-range artillery units on the southern border within this year."

The ground weapons North Korea highlighted are the "Cheonma-20" and "155mm self-propelled howitzer." These weapon systems were first unveiled during the military parade for the Party Foundation Day in October last year. North Korea has continued to upgrade these weapons to reduce the power gap with South Korean military assets such as the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled howitzer. The range of the 155mm self-propelled howitzer is said to reach up to 60 kilometers. This is the first time North Korea has disclosed this range. Compared to the existing Soviet-style self-propelled guns (152mm series), the new artillery appears to be modernized, with extended range and improved mobility.

The Cheonma-20 has an improved active protection system. The tank's active protection system is designed to intercept enemy anti-tank weapons. It is analyzed to be similar to Israel's "Iron Fist" system. The intention appears to be to accelerate the development of active defense systems, drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine.

The news agency also reported that Chairman Kim inspected new main battle tanks and launcher vehicles produced at the Armored Weapons Research Institute and a munitions industrial enterprise, emphasizing, "Upgrade major munitions industrial enterprises to the most advanced level in the shortest time possible, and establish a modern production and management system." This indicates North Korea's determination, following performance upgrades, to deploy self-propelled artillery to "front-line units" for operational use within this year. Once North Korea completes the combat readiness of its ground weapons, it could diversify its options for striking South Korea and the region, along with changes to its ammunition and training systems.

North Korea is also strengthening its naval power. The Korean Central News Agency reported that the Choe Hyon Ho, carrying Chairman Kim, conducted a sailing test in a 120-nautical-mile (about 220 km) area in the West Sea to evaluate various maneuvering elements. Chairman Kim inspected the Choe Hyon Ho's main command center and weapons control room, checked the ship's operational readiness, and expressed satisfaction, stating that the vessel's combat maneuverability meets operational requirements and that the superiority of the so-called "our-style ship control system" has been confirmed.

Shin Jongwoo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF), stated, "This is the first time North Korea's K9-style self-propelled howitzer mass production system and range have been publicly disclosed," and interpreted that "the gun barrel has been upgraded to withstand the new shells and higher chamber pressure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.