Bulsae ATGM explained

The Bulsae ATGM is a family of North Korean (DPRK) anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems.

History

Bulsae-2

North Korea is said to have acquired a number of 9K111 Fagot systems in the late 20th century. These were subsequently reverse-engineered and given the designation Bulsae-2.[1]

Bulsae-3

The Bulsae-3 was advertised as the AT-4MLB by North Korean proxy company GLOCOM, and in their brochure it was stated that it is controlled by laser beam guidance method,[2] [3] The first international customers of the Bulsae-3 was reported in 2014 to be the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and the Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades.[4]

The Chonma-216 variant of the Pokpung-ho main battle tank (MBT) has been seen fitted with Bulsae-3, which a source alleges to have been derived from the AT-14 Spriggan.

The 2020 Cheonma-2 MBT prototype has the Bulsae-3 as secondary armament. It is said to be reversed engineered Soviet/Russian 9K111 Fagot or 9M133 Kornet missiles.[5] [6] However, the diameter of the ATGM launchers appears to be 150 mm like the 9M133, rather than 120 mm of the 9K111 and may thus have a higher penetration.[7]

Bulsae-4

The BTR-80 amphibious APC derivative from the DPRK named Chunma-D seems to have been modified by the DPRK to fit a 6x6 chassis.[8] [9] Other sources allege the 6x6 chassis is a derivative of the Chinese AFT-10,[10] but this string resolves to the ATGM HJ-10. This 6x6 chassis can be mounted with two rows of four Bulsae-4, and an example of this vehicle was allegedly seen near Kharkiv as part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late July 2024.[11] It is claimed that one destroyed a British 155 mm armoured self-propelled AS-90 howitzer.[12] The Bulsae-4 employs "an electro-optical homing head combined with fiber-optic guidance. This technology allows the missile to maneuver around obstacles and hit hidden targets".[12] [13]

Bulsae-5

The Songun-915 variant of the Pokpung-ho series of tanks has been seen fitted with Bulsae-5, which a source alleges to have been derived from the 9M133 Kornet.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: North Korea Country Handbook: Marine Corps Intelligence Activity. Fas.org. 2017-07-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111733/http://fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf. 2016-03-04. live.
  2. Book: Target Markets: North Korea's Military Customers. 9781351713009. Berger. Andrea. 14 July 2017. Taylor & Francis .
  3. Web site: Glocom is at It Again.
  4. Web site: Oryx Blog on DPRK Arms Exports . 2017-09-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170920193047/http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/207370/oryx-blog-on-dprk-arms-exports/ . 2017-09-20 . live.
  5. News: Trevithick. Joseph. Rogoway. Tyler. 12 October 2020. We Take A Closer Look At North Korea's New Prototype Main Battle Tank. The Drive. 28 February 2021.
  6. News: 11 October 2020. North Korea unveils new Main Battle Tank using design of Russian T-14 Armata. Army Recognition. 1 March 2021.
  7. Web site: zh:朝鲜阅兵展示的最新坦克,是个什么水平?_政务_澎湃新闻-The Paper. https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_9556493. 2021-09-16. www.thepaper.cn . zh.
  8. News: North Korean M-2012 8x8 APC derived from BTR-80 .
  9. News: North Korean M-2012 6x6 APC derived from BTR-80 .
  10. News: Bulsae-4 M-2018 NLOS ATGM .
  11. News: North Korean missile carrier spotted on Ukrainian battlefield .
  12. News: For the first time, military equipment from North Korea noticed with russians at front. Photo published .
  13. News: North Korean Bulsae-4 Missile System was Reportedly Spotted for First Time in Ukraine .
  14. Web site: songun-ho. 2021-09-16. www.massimotessitori.altervista.org.