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

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
			Unlicensed copy of the FN Browning M1900. Can be fitted with a suppressor.^[1] Issued to high-ranking officers and spies.^[2]
			Indigenous copy of Tokarev TT-33 with elements of the Browning Hi-Power. Former standard-issue pistol.
Type 70			Self-designed and produced; Modeled after the FN M1910, Makarov PM, and the Walther PPK; chambered in .32 ACP. Issued to high-ranking officers.
			Unlicensed copy of the CZ 75 pistol.^[3] Replaced the Type 68 as the standard-issue pistol.
			Issued to spies with suppressors attached.
			Issued to spies with suppressors attached.
Inglis Hi-Power	Canada		Canadian-made copies issued to spies and special forces commandos.
Sub-machine guns
PPSh-41			Made licensed copies under the designation "Type 49" from 1949 until 1955. The Chinese "Type 50" can only accept box magazines, while the Type 49 only accepts drum magazines of the PPSh-41.
PPS-43			Both Soviet PPS submachine guns and Chinese Type 54s.
			Used by spies.
Type 98 submachine gun			Resembling the Vityaz but with an optical sight and a flash suppressor. Used by special forces.^[4]
Sterling submachine gun
Shotguns
			^[5]
Carbine
Type 98			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
AK-105			North Korean copy of the Russian AK-105 with a shortened 20-round magazine carrying 5.45×39mm ammunition. The furniture such as the pistol grip and the lightweight stock are made of plastic. Issued to armored crews.^[6] ^[7]
			Locally manufactured as the Type 63. Chinese Type 56 rifles also used.
Assault rifles
			Chinese copy of the AK-47.
			North Korean copy of the AK-47 produced under licence. Standard issue of militia and KPA secondary troops.
			North Korean copy of the AKM. Standard issue among North Korean infantry and being slowly supplanted by the Type 88 or 98.
			North Korean copy of the AK-74. Slowly supplanting the Type 68 as the future standard-issue rifle of the KPA. 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.^[8]
Type 88 Bullpup			Bullpup Type weapon based on the Type 88-2 and ADS, Russian bullpup rifle chambered to fire the 5.45 mm round, fitted with a scope and an vertical handgrip. Issued to special force members^[9] ^[10]
Unnamed OICW-type weapon			OICW-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.^[11] ^[12]
			Limited use, issued to special force members.
			Limited use, unlicensed locally made copies, issued to special force members at least since 1990s.^[13]
			Limited use, unlicensed locally made copies, issued to special force members. Seen in use by North Korean Commandos in the Gangneung incident in 1996.^[14] ^[15]
Sniper rifles
			Fitted with a telescopic sight.
			Unlicensed version of the Zastava M76 rifle. Issued to ghillie squad from KPA Special forces.
Machine guns
			DPM, Chinese Type 53, and RP-46 variants used by the KPA.
			Produced locally as the Type 62.
			North Korean copy of the RPK machine gun, produced under license.
			Indigenous design based on the ZB vz. 26 and the Kalashnikov PK machine gun design.
Gun-2 Minigun			Indigenous electric-powered Gatling-type gun, chambered to fire 7.62×54mmR.
			North Korean copy of the PKM machine gun. Replaced the Type 73 as the KPA standard general-purpose machine gun.
Heavy Weapons
			Standard issue. The Chinese Type 54 machine gun is also used by the KPA.
			Chinese copies are also used by the KPA.
Grenade launchers
			Underbarrel grenade launcher. Can be mounted on all Kalashnikov-type rifles.
AGS-17
Flamethrowers
Non-lethal
			Reported to have been used to illuminate two US Army Apache helicopters in 2003.^[16]

Reserve small arms

(Used by Worker-Peasant Red Guards).

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

Besides small arms, the Worker-Peasant Red Guards also maintains heavier weapons such as mortars, anti-aircraft guns, and some obsolete vehicles such as T-34 tanks and SU-100 tank destroyers.^[17]

Armour

In 2024, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that North Korea had more than 3,500 main battle tanks, 560 light tanks, and 2,500 armoured personnel carriers (both tracked and wheeled) in service.

Name	Photo	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Tanks
T-54/55			Main battle tank	1,000−1,600
Type 59			Main battle tank	175
T-62			Main battle tank	800
Chonma-ho			Main battle tank	1,000−1,400	Locally produced T-62.
Pokpung-ho			Main battle tank	100−250	Based on the T-62, it incorporates technologies from the T-72 or T-90 tank.
Songun-915^[18]			Main battle tank	Unknown	Based on the T-62 and T-72, upgraded with a 125 mm main gun, improved fire control systems, infrared sensors, and laser rangefinders.
Cheonma-2			Main battle tank	At least 9^[19]	Externally resembles the T-14 Armata.^[20] ^[21]
PT-76			Amphibious light tank	560+
M1985			Amphibious light tank		Similar to the PT-76, but uses the VTT-323 chassis.
Armoured fighting vehicles
BTR-80A			Infantry fighting vehicle	32
BTR-50			Armoured personnel carrier	Unknown
Type 63			Armoured personnel carrier	500
VTT-323			Armoured personnel carrier	Unknown	Based on the Type 63/YW531.
BTR-40			Armoured personnel carrier	Unknown
BTR-60			Armoured personnel carrier	1,200	500 BTR-60PA and 700 BTR-60PB in 2011.
BTR-152			Armoured personnel carrier	Unknown
M1992/1			Armoured personnel carrier	Unknown	Based on the BRDM-2.
M2010			Armoured personnel carrier	At least 10	6×6 and 8×8 versions based on the BTR-60 and BTR-80.
Unknown 8×8 APC			Armoured personnel carrier	Unknown	A 122 mm mobile gun system.
Bulsae-4 M-2018			Non line of sight anti-tank guided missile carrier	Unknown	6x6 vehicle equipped with non-ballistic missile system for armored targets and helicopters at long range (15-25 km) connected by trailing fiber-optic transmitting video back to vehicle.^[22]

Vehicles

Name	Type	Origin	Photo	In service	Notes
Transportation and logistics
UAZ-469	Utility vehicle
Sungri 58	4×4 truck				Locally produced copy of the GAZ-51.
Isuzu	6×6 truck
Ural-375D	6×6 truck				Locally produced copies.
ZIL-130^[23]	4×4 truck
ZIL-131^[24]	6×6 truck
Sinotruk HOWO	6×6 truck				Civilian trucks converted for military use.^[25]
Taebaeksan 96	Medium truck			Less than 50	North Korean copy of the KAMAZ-58111,^[26] built in cooperation with KAMAZ.
ZIL-135	Transporter erector launcher				FROG-7 launcher.
MAZ-543	Transporter erector launcher				Imported from Russia.
WS51200^[27]	Transporter erector launcher			6	Heavy civilian truck converted into a TEL.^[28]

Artillery

In 2024, the IISS estimated that North Korea had more than 8,600 towed and self-propelled artillery pieces, 5,500 multiple rocket launcher systems, and 7,500 mortars in service.

Name	Type	In service	Notes
Self-propelled guns
M-1992	120 mm SP gun-mortar		Turret mounted mortar on a VTT-323 chassis.
M-1977	122 mm SP howitzer		D-30 mounted on a tracked chassis. Maximum range 15.3km (09.5miles) or 21.9km (13.6miles) with rocket-assisted projectiles.
M-1981	122 mm SPG		Maximum range 24km (15miles).
M-1985	122 mm SPG		A-19 mounted on a modified ATS-59 chassis. Maximum range 20.8km (12.9miles).
M-1991	122 mm SPG		Maximum range 24km (15miles).
M-1975	130 mm SPG		Maximum range 27.15km (16.87miles).
M-1981	130 mm SPG
M-1991	130 mm SPG		Maximum range 27.15km (16.87miles).
M-1974	152 mm SP howitzer		Maximum range 17.4km (10.8miles).
M-1977	152 mm SP howitzer		D-1 mounted on a Type 63 chassis. Maximum range 12.4km (07.7miles).
Juche 107th Year Type 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer^[29]	SP howitzer		155mm SPH, first publicly displayed in a 2018 military parade. Range estimated to be over 30km (20miles). Range of 40 kilometers.^[30]
M-1978 Koksan	170 mm SPG
Juche-po	170 mm SPG
Towed guns
	122 mm howitzer
	122 mm field gun
	122 mm field gun
	130 mm field gun
	152 mm gun-howitzer
	152 mm howitzer
	152 mm howitzer
Multiple rocket launchers
	107 mm towed multiple rocket launcher		Locally produced under license. Over 5,000 built for domestic and export markets.
VTT-323 107 mm	107 mm SP multiple rocket launcher		Type 63 mounted on a Type 63 APC or VTT-323 chassis.
	122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher		30-tube locally produced copy of the BM-21, mounted on a Ural-375D chassis.
	122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher		North Korean copy of the BM-21 Grad.
	122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher		40-tube locally produced copy of the BM-21, mounted on a Isuzu 6×6 chassis.
M-1992	122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
M-1993	122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
VTT-323 122 mm	122 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
	200 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
	240 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
M-1985	240 mm SP multiple rocket launcher		12-tube launcher mounted on a Isuzu 6×6 chassis.
M-1989	240 mm SP multiple rocket launcher
M-1991	240 mm SP multiple rocket launcher		Can fire unguided and guided rockets.^[31]
M-2015 (KN-09)	300 mm SP multiple rocket launcher		Undergoing trials.
M-2019 (KN-25)	600 mm SP multiple rocket launcher		Undergoing trials.
Mortars
	82 mm mortar
	120 mm mortar
	160 mm mortar
Tactical ballistic missiles
2K6 Luna	Short-range ballistic missile	24	FROG-3 and FROG-5 in service.
	Short-range ballistic missile
Hwasong-11D	Short-range ballistic missile		Undergoing trials.
KN-02 Toksa	Short-range ballistic missile		North Korean copy of the OTR-21 Tochka.

Anti-tank weapons

Name	Quantity	Notes
Man-portable anti-tank
RPG-7		Locally produced as the Type 68.
RPG-29^[32]
Anti-tank guided missiles
3M6 Shmel
9K111 Fagot
9M113 Konkurs
Bulsae-2		North Korean copy of the 9K111 Fagot, it uses a laser guidance system.
9M133 Kornet		Produced locally as the Bulsae.
Recoilless rifles
B-10 recoilless rifle	1,700
Self-propelled anti-tank guided missiles
9P122		Armed with 9M14 Malyutka missiles.
M-2010 ATGM		8-tube launcher mounted on a M-2010 6×6 APC chassis.^[33]

Anti-aircraft weapons

In 2024, the IISS estimated that North Korea possessed more than 11,000 anti-aircraft guns in service.

Name	Quantity	Note
Man-portable air-defense systems
9K32 Strela-2
9K310 Igla-1
HT-16		Indigenous design, it resembles the Igla-1 with elements from the 9K38 Igla and 9K338 Igla-S.^[34]
SA-18S		Indigenous copy of the Igla-1, or the 9K38 Igla.
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon
9K35 Strela-10
M-1984		ZPU-4 gun mounted on a Chonma-ho chassis. Effective range 1.4km (00.9miles)
M-1992 23 mm		Twin 23 mm guns mounted on a modified ATS-59 chassis. Effective range 2.5km (01.6miles)
M-1992 37 mm		Twin 37 mm guns mounted guns possibly based on the M1939 mounted on a modified ATS-59 chassis.
M-1985		Twin 57 mm guns mounted on a modified Type 63/YW531 chassis.
Towed anti-aircraft artillery
ZPU		ZPU-1, ZPU-2, and ZPU-4 variants used. Produced locally.
ZU-23-2	1,500
M1939	1,000
AZP S-60	600
KS-12	400	Used with the 'Fire Can' radar.
KS-19	500

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• Petrov . Leonid . Russia's Power Politics and North Korea . International Issues & Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs . 2008 . 17 . 2 . 27–43 . 26591041 . 1337-5482.
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Notes and References

1. Web site: North Korea Country Handbook 1997 . US Department of Defense .
2. Web site: Shea . Dan . Hong . Heebum . NORTH KOREAN SMALL ARMS (DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA) . Small Arms Review . Chipotle Publishing . 27 May 2023 . 1 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20230528063714/https://smallarmsreview.com/north-korean-small-arms-democratic-peoples-republic-of-korea/. May 28, 2023.
3. Web site: SALW Guide Global Distribution and Visual Identification North Korea Country Report . SALW Guide . Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) . 27 May 2023.
4. Web site: 2023-03-09 . The Elite Small Arms Of North Korea . 2023-10-29 . 21st Century Asian Arms Race . en.
5. Web site: China exports shotgun ammo to North Korea without notifying UN | NK News. 4 December 2014.
6. Web site: 2023-03-09 . The Elite Small Arms Of North Korea . 2023-10-11 . 21st Century Asian Arms Race . en.
7. Web site: 2023-07-05 . 3D model KPA Type 88 Bullpup – TurboSquid 2092626 . 2023-10-29 . www.turbosquid.com . en-US.
8. Web site: North Korean Helical AK Magazines . armamentresearch.com. February 4, 2014.
9. Web site: 2023-03-09 . The Elite Small Arms Of North Korea . 2023-10-11 . 21st Century Asian Arms Race . en.
10. Web site: 2023-07-05 . 3D model KPA Type 88 Bullpup - TurboSquid 2092626 . 2023-10-29 . www.turbosquid.com . en-US.
11. Web site: F . Nathaniel . North Korean "OICW" Combined Assault Rifle and Automatic Grenade Launcher Revealed During Day of the Sun Parade – The Firearm Blog . The Firearm Blog . 21 April 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220418203400/http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/21/north-korean-oicw-combined-assault-rifle-automatic-grenade-launcher-revealed-day-sun-parade/ . 18 April 2022 .
12. Web site: North Korean Assault Rifle with Integrated Grenade Launcher . . Military Today . 30 September 2022 .
13. Web site: 시사저널 – 북한 5만 특공대, 저공 침투 대기중. sisapress.com. 19 September 1996. https://web.archive.org/web/20180603132742/http://www.sisapress.com/journal/article/86452. 3 June 2018.
14. News: A Weapon Displayed From North Korea Special Forces and their Submarine . . 25 September 1996. https://web.archive.org/web/20160101074135/http://imnews.imbc.com/20dbnews/history/1996/2001702_13448.html . 1 January 2016.
15. Web site: Equipment of North Korean Special Forces and Espionage . Yu Yong-won's Military World, Chosun Ilbo . 16 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130072147/https://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/gallery/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&pn=1&num=177361. 30 November 2022.
16. Web site: Lister . Tim . North Korea's military aging but sizeable . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101126153445/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-24/world/north.korea.capability_1_military-cooperation-massive-military-parade-pyongyang?_s=PM:WORLD . 26 November 2010 . 24 December 2010 . CNN.
17. News: Newdick . Thomas . North Korea Trades Missiles For Militias At Its Latest Parade . 28 May 2023 . The Drive . 9 September 2021 . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20230603073834/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42313/north-korea-trades-missiles-for-militias-at-its-latest-parade. June 3, 2023.
18. 陈 . 铭阳 . "先军"坦克承载的新星 朝鲜"北极星"2中程导弹系统 . 坦克装甲车辆 . Beijing . . 2017 . 4 . 10.19486/j.cnki.11-1936/tj.2017.07.004.
19. News: Trevithick . Joseph . Rogoway . Tyler . 12 October 2020 . We Take A Closer Look At North Korea's New Prototype Main Battle Tank . 26 April 2024 . The War Zone . en.
20. Web site: 국내외 과학기술동향, 정책, 문화 등 과기계 이슈 정보 제공. 매주 금요일 뉴스레터 발송 . 2024-05-05 . www.sciencetimes.co.kr . ko-KR.
21. Web site: North Korea Hyped Its Main Battle Tank . 21st Century Asian Arms Race . 26 April 2024 . en . 19 March 2024.
22. News: Russia starts using North Korean Bulsae-4 missile system against Ukraine - Media . Vialko . Daryna . MSN . 31 July 2024 . 31 July 2024.
23. News: O'Carroll . Chad . Pearson . James . North Korean military parade: What the cameras didn't show you NK News . 28 April 2024 . NK News – North Korea News . 1 August 2013.
24. Web site: United States Army Training and Doctrine Command . Worldwide Equipment Identification Cards – North Korea . Federation of American Scientists . 15 April 2024 . 2019 . United States Army Training and Doctrine Command .
25. News: Pearson . James . China-made truck used by North Korea in new artillery system . 28 April 2024 . Reuters . 9 March 2016.
26. Web site: Barrie . Douglas . Dempsey . Joseph . North Korean parade equipment counters conventional wisdom . IISS . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 28 April 2024 . en . 22 October 2020.
27. Web site: Barrie . Douglas . Dempsey . Joseph . What North Korea's latest missile parade tells us, and what it doesn't . IISS . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 12 October 2020 . 27 April 2024 . en.
28. News: Panda . Ankit . US Treasury Designates Chinese Firm That Transferred ICBM-Toting Heavy Trucks to North Korea . 16 October 2017 . 27 April 2024 . The Diplomat.
29. 陈 . 友龙 . 预示朝鲜炮兵新的发展方向 . 坦克装甲车辆 (Tank & Armoured Vehicle) . . Beijing . 2023 . 2 . 16–20.
30. https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/893568.html
31. https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2024/north-korea-unveils-powerful-new-240mm-mlrs-capable-of-firing-guided-missiles North Korea Unveils Powerful New 240mm MLRS Capable of Firing Guided Missiles
32. News: Macdonald . Hamish . North Korea sanctions evasion efforts detailed in UN's latest PoE report . 29 April 2024 . NK News – North Korea News . 12 March 2019.
33. News: Dominguez . Gabriel . Gibson . Neil . North Korea parades latest self-propelled howitzers, missile carriers . 29 April 2024 . Jane's Defence Weekly . Janes Information Services . 12 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180912175613/https://www.janes.com/article/82935/north-korea-parades-latest-self-propelled-howitzers-missile-carriers . 12 September 2018 . London . en.
34. Web site: Oliemans . Joost . Mitzer . Stijn . North Korean HT-16PGJ MANPADS in Syria . Oryx . 5 May 2024 . 11 March 2016.