M-1978 Koksan

M-1978 Koksan
주체포
A North Korean M-1989 version of Koksan photographed in North Korea in 2013.
TypeSelf-propelled artillery
Place of originNorth Korea
Service history
In service1978–present
Used byNorth Korea
Iran
WarsIran–Iraq War
Production history
ManufacturerSecond Machine Industry Bureau, North Korea
Variants
  • M-1978 Koksan
  • M-1989 Koksan
Specifications
Crew8

Caliber170 mm
Rate of fire~1-2 rounds per 5 minutes
Effective firing range~40 km (standard munition), 60 km (booster munition)[1]
Maximum firing range60 km (with RAP round)

Main
armament
170 mm (6.69") gun
EngineDiesel
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
~300 km
Maximum speed ~40 km/h
M-1978 Koksan
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJuchepo
McCune–ReischauerChuch'ep'o

The M-1978 Koksan (KoreanM-1978 곡산; HanjaM-1978 谷山), or officially Chuch'ep'o (Chuch'e Cannon; Korean주체포; Hanja主體砲) is a 170 mm self-propelled gun of North Korean design and manufacture. Very little information is available due to the secretive nature of the North Korean government. The designations M-1978 and Koksan were given to the type by US military analysts, as they first became aware of it in that year in Koksan, North Korea.[2]

What is known is that it is a 170 mm (6.69 in) self-propelled gun of the open turret type. It was first seen publicly during a military parade in 1985. At least one example has been acquired by the United States, likely taken from examples captured by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War.

  1. ^ "Koksan M1978".
  2. ^ Foss 2011, p. 829.

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