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North Korea's NEW Tank is a Nightmare
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North Korea's NEW Tank is a Nightmare

North Korea's New Tank - M2020

The transcript discusses North Korea's unveiling of the M2020 tank, exploring its features, implications, and potential impact on tank warfare.

Unveiling of the M2020 Tank

  • The M2020 tank was unveiled in October 2020 during a military parade celebrating North Korea's Communist Workers Party.
  • It showcased modern optics, fire control systems, armor plating, and active protection systems.
  • Questions arise regarding the tank's design choices, production plans, and North Korea's experience in tank warfare.

North Korea's Tank Warfare History

  • During the Korean War (1950-1953), North Korea relied on Soviet-supplied T-34 tanks but faced challenges against US forces.
  • Limited experience operating modern tanks tactically in combat is highlighted.

Design Features of the M2020 Tank

  • The M2020 represents a departure from North Korea's historical reliance on Russian T-62 designs due to trade embargoes.
  • Incorporates elements from various tanks like T-72s and Type-88s to overcome technology acquisition barriers.

Advanced Features of the M2020 Tank

  • The M2020 introduces significant upgrades compared to previous North Korean tank iterations.
  • Notable features include a diverse array of sights on the turret and an anti-tank guided missile launcher raising logistical concerns.

Controversy Surrounding Anti-Tank Guided Missiles

Military Theater: North Korea's Tank Design

In this section, the focus is on analyzing the inclusion of external Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) launchers on North Korean main battle tanks, exploring the potential reasons behind this design choice.

Reasons for External ATGM Launchers

  • North Korea's addition of ATGMs to their tanks is seen as a form of military theater, aimed at projecting strength and intimidation rather than practical combat effectiveness.
  • The lack of additional storage space for missile ammo and impractical reloading process suggests that the ATGM launchers may serve more symbolic than functional purposes.
  • Cultural differences and a desire to showcase toughness could explain why North Korea opts for seemingly unnecessary weapons additions on their tanks.

Capabilities and Design Features of North Korean Tanks

This section delves into the technical aspects and design features of North Korean tanks, shedding light on their missile systems, weaponry, crew composition, and manufacturing origins.

Technical Details

  • The ATGMs mounted on North Korean tanks are reported to have impressive penetration capabilities and a top attack function.
  • The presence of multiple secondary weapon systems like automatic grenade launchers serves a dual purpose of functionality and intimidation.
  • Debate exists regarding the crew composition of these tanks, with indications pointing towards a crew of four despite press releases showing only three members.

Manufacturing Origins and International Influence

This part explores the potential sources of design inspiration and manufacturing support for North Korean tanks, hinting at collaborations with China, Russia, or other friendly nations.

Manufacturing Insights

  • Speculation arises about Chinese or Russian involvement in designing North Korean tanks due to similarities with American, Russian, and Chinese tank models.

North Korea's Defense Strategy and Tank Development

This section delves into North Korea's defense strategy, its economic constraints, and the development of its next-generation tank.

North Korea's Economic Situation and Defense Spending

  • North Korea's GDP is significantly lower than South Korea's, with a per capita GDP comparable to countries like Afghanistan and Haiti.
  • Experts suggest that North Korea allocates a substantial portion of its GDP (26-33%) to defense, resulting in yearly defense budgets of around $4 billion.

Tank Development at the Expense of People

  • North Korea may prioritize military advancements over addressing food insecurity, potentially mirroring past famines where hundreds of thousands or even millions died.

Evolution of the M2020 Tank

  • The M2020 tank has undergone modifications post-2023, featuring a more suitable green color for North Korea's terrain and enhanced armor like explosive reactive bricks.
  • The tank showcases advanced technology such as an active protection system (APS), a rarity due to cost implications.

Technological Challenges in Tank Development

This section explores the technological aspects of North Korea's tank development, focusing on APS capabilities and design choices.

Active Protection System (APS) Implementation

  • APS launchers on the M2020 resemble Russian systems like Afghanat for interception purposes.
  • Videos released in 2023 demonstrate the M2020 successfully intercepting incoming RPG rounds using its APS.

Design Considerations and Weaknesses

  • The placement of APS launchers within cuts in the turret raises concerns about structural integrity and potential weak points.
  • Despite design peculiarities, such as exposed turret tops, the tank aims to enhance protection against certain threats while potentially sacrificing in other areas.

Comparative Analysis and Speculations

This section compares North Korean tank technology with global counterparts while discussing limitations in radar technology.

Technological Disparities

  • While North Korea demonstrates advancements like APS, challenges remain in miniaturized radars and sensors compared to modern systems.

Visual Resemblances and Material Composition

  • The M2020 shares visual similarities with Russian tanks like T-14, incorporating features like slat armor for missile defense.

Engine Specifications and Future Prospects

This segment focuses on engine details of the M2020 tank along with speculations regarding its performance capabilities.

Engine Configuration

  • The rear-engine compartment likely houses an upgraded 12-cylinder engine providing 1,000 to 1,200 horsepower for improved performance.

Strategic Implications

  • Despite claims about being a powerful tank by Kim Jong-un, skepticism remains regarding unverified specifications such as speed or weight.

Conclusion: Modernization Efforts

Concluding remarks highlight ongoing modernization efforts by North Korea beyond tank development.

Ongoing Modernization Plan

North Korea's M20 Tank: Capabilities and Implications

This section discusses the recent training exercises involving North Korea's M20 tank, highlighting its response to joint exercises by the United States and South Korea in 2024.

Recent Training Exercises and Context

  • Recent training exercises with the Supreme Leader present were a response to joint exercises between the US and South Korea in early March 2024.
  • Limited information available on the M20 suggests it may not be operational yet, with existing models serving as prototypes or test beds.
  • Despite potential propaganda aspects, the M20 should not be dismissed outright; it represents a feasible asset for North Korea.

North Korea's Military Strategy Shift

This section delves into North Korea's military capabilities, considering its manufacturing capacity and geopolitical context.

Military Capabilities and Geopolitical Factors

  • Cooperation with outside nations aiming to reduce American influence could enable North Korea to develop modern tank designs.
  • Shift towards nuclear deterrence indicates evolving priorities for North Korea in 2024, potentially impacting future production of the M20.

Future Scenarios and Concluding Remarks

The final segment explores potential developments regarding North Korea's military assets and strategic direction.

Speculations on Future Developments

  • Uncertainty surrounds future production of the M20; outcomes may vary based on shifting priorities within North Korea.
Video description

If you’re ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. You can start your claim in just a click without having to leave your couch. To start your claim, visit: https://www.forthepeople.com/TaskandPurpose?s=86%3A2313 The M2020 was first unveiled in October of 2020, during a military parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of the North Korean Communist Workers’ Party. A total of nine drove down the main avenue during the parade, sporting what looked like modern optics, armor plating, and even active protection systems. The prototype tanks were shown off along with their new rocket systems, and a mobile gun system that’s definitely not a stryker at all. MERCH Drop: https://taskandpurpose.myspreadshop.com/ By all accounts, the M2020 is still in its prototyping and testing phase, and each time this tank has popped up, it’s been a bit more developed. But based on current information and looking at the rest of the DPRK’s tank fleet, we have a good idea of where the tank is at in production, and what its rough capabilities are. One of the first things you’ll notice about the M2020 is just how visually distinct it is compared to what North Korea has shown off in the past. Historically the country has used a derivative of Russian T-62 tank designs. Trade embargos on the country, especially in the realm of military equipment have largely prevented North Korea from obtaining modern tank technology. The tanks we do see are generally frankensteined designs incorporating a base model T-62 design, with various overlapping additions from other tanks like T-72s and Type 88s as they’ve managed to get pieces of them. Currently North Korea fields three designs, the Chonma-ho, the Pokpung-ho, and Songun-915, the latter of which was equipped with a standard 125mm smoothbore cannon. Typically with each newer iteration of North Korean tank, a few incremental upgrades are all that are done with each, but the M2020 quickly broke this trend. On the surface the new tank looks like a rough combination of an M1 Abrams, the T-14 Armata, and Chinese VT-4 in some areas. This has led to some speculation that China or Russia provided some level of assistance in designing the tank, which would fall in line with trends of greater cooperation between North Korea and the other two countries. This comparison to Western tanks was highlighted with its choice of desert camo, which by all accounts is useless in the Korean peninsula, but similar to a majority of modern tanks it would be based on. The latest images of the M2020 post 2023 and into 2024 now show them sporting a darker greener look, which is more suited to North Korea’s geography. Additionally with the new paint came the addition of explosive reactive armor bricks on the turret, and what appears to be T-14-like ERA plating on the side, which was absent in the initial introduction in 2020. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSq3p5NKEtyp5Rjd4ctiEbg/join Task & Purpose is a military news and culture oriented channel. We want to foster discussion about the defense industry. Email capelluto@taskandpurpose.com for inquires. #TANK #WAR #northkorea