North Korea Deploys M1989 Koksan 170mm “Giant Howitzers” to Russia

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Photographs have surfaced showing the presence of North Korea’s giant M1989 Koksan 170mm self-propelled howitzers in Russia, coinciding with reports of thousands of North Korean troops deployed to the country.

The appearance of these giant heavy artillery pieces is unsurprising, as Pyongyang is known to have supplied a variety of weapons to support Russian forces in Ukraine, ranging from artillery shells to missiles and rockets.

In addition to weaponry, North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops to bolster Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.

Military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have grown significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with reciprocal visits between President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un underscoring their close relationship.

Around 50 units of the M1989 Koksan 170mm self-propelled howitzers have been identified in Russia.

These powerful artillery pieces are capable of shifting the balance of power on the battlefield due to their high firepower and extended range, reaching up to 60 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP) and 40 kilometers with standard shells.

Observers noted that the artillery units were photographed in Krasnoyarsk, central Russia, loaded onto railway transport, likely en route to an undisclosed location.

North Korea is believed to have introduced the Koksan 170mm artillery in the 1970s.

With its impressive 60-kilometer range using RAP rounds, it is considered one of the longest-range artillery systems in North Korea’s arsenal.

The system has also been exported to Iran, where it was extensively used during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.

Some units were reportedly captured by Iraqi forces during the conflict.

Analysts suggest several potential reasons for the presence of North Korean Koksan howitzers in Russia.

The artillery systems may be undergoing testing, or they could be intended for use by North Korean troops already confirmed to be in Russia, either in Ukraine or the Kursk region.

Another possibility is that these artillery units are destined for deployment to Ukraine, where Russia could integrate them into its existing artillery units to enhance its offensive capabilities against Ukrainian forces.

Analysts predict that the deployment of North Korea’s Koksan howitzers, with their extended range, could provide Russia with a significant advantage over Kyiv’s artillery systems on the battlefield. — DSA