In March 2024, North Korea unveiled its latest advancement in armored vehicles, the Cheonma-2, a main battle tank based on the earlier M2020 model. This new addition to the North Korean military arsenal was showcased during military exercises, revealing North Korea’s strides in tank production and technological innovation despite significant international sanctions and isolation. The Cheonma-2, with features indicating extensive modernization and adaptation of foreign technologies, is a symbol of North Korea’s military ambitions as well as its complex approach to defensive strategies.
The Cheonma-2 originated from the M2020 tank, which was first showcased during a military parade in October 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea. This initial version represented a bold move by North Korea to showcase its domestic defense production capabilities. Although initially considered an exhibition model, the M2020 laid the groundwork for what would eventually evolve into the Cheonma-2.
Recent reports, including those from Army Recognition in August 2023, indicate that North Korea has significantly accelerated its production of this main battle tank. Renovations at the Kusong tank plant—North Korea’s principal facility for tank production—have effectively doubled its capacity, with an expanded manufacturing hall and additional production structures added between October 2022 and June 2023. These enhancements align with North Korea’s goal of developing the Cheonma-2 as a more combat-ready vehicle, compared to the M2020 prototype.
The Cheonma-2 includes numerous design enhancements intended to bolster its effectiveness in combat. Analysts have noted a redesigned turret similar to that of the American M1A2 Abrams, featuring an impressive array of 21 explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks on the front. These ERA blocks are designed to neutralize the impact of incoming projectiles, providing a vital layer of defense against enemy munitions. Complementing this armor are six smoke grenade launchers, capable of generating a smokescreen to obscure the tank from enemy observation.
Other design elements reveal meticulous attention to battlefield adaptability. For instance, a visible opening on the left side of the main gun hints at an observation device, likely improving situational awareness for the crew. Given the placement, this opening is less likely to function as a casing ejector due to safety concerns and its location in front of the tank. Additionally, rectangular boxes located on the turret appear to house components of an active protection system (APS), designed to intercept incoming projectiles before they reach the vehicle.
The Cheonma-2 demonstrates a high level of adaptability through its anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) capabilities. The right side of the turret is equipped with a launcher that can pivot to target a range of enemy assets. Observers have identified these as Bulsae-3 missiles, a North Korean variant of the Russian Kornet missile. This capability suggests that the Cheonma-2 can engage both armored vehicles and fortified targets at varying distances.
Each side of the turret also includes additional ERA components, blocks of smoke grenade launchers, and what appear to be APS units, potentially functioning as laser alarm receiver radars. These systems collectively enhance the Cheonma-2’s defensive measures against both direct and indirect threats. The turret is further equipped with meteorological devices—likely an anemometer and cross-wind sensors—as well as two antennas for communication, improving the vehicle’s ability to gather and respond to environmental and battlefield data in real-time.
Adding to its intelligence and surveillance abilities, the Cheonma-2 turret includes a panoramic sight for the commander and a gunner’s sight. These advanced observation tools improve crew visibility, enabling them to survey the battlefield comprehensively. A fixed episcope to the right of the commander’s cupola adds another layer of visual input, likely aiding in coordinated attacks or defensive actions.
According to analysis by military enthusiasts and experts, the layout of the Cheonma-2 tank seems to prioritize operational efficiency. Observations point to a circular element on the left side of the turret top, speculated to serve as a manual casing ejection hatch if the tank is configured with the loader on the left and the captain and gunner on the right. This layout aligns with North Korean design preferences, albeit raising questions about efficiency and asafety under combat conditions. Additionally, the driver appears to be positioned at the center of the chassis, providing them with direct access to the field of vision afforded by two periscopes under the main gun.
The Cheonma-2 boasts a powerful engine with a minimum output of 1,200 horsepower, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 65 kilometers per hour. The tank weighs between 50 to 55 tons, suggesting a balance between heavy armor and maneuverability. Though precise details remain scarce, analysts speculate that the Cheonma-2 incorporates modern fire control and communication systems, underscoring North Korea’s intent to produce a technologically advanced and highly mobile armored vehicle.
The main armament of the Cheonma-2 appears to be a 125mm smoothbore gun, resembling the Soviet 2A46 model. This weapon can likely fire Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS), High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT), and High-Explosive Fragmentation (HEF) projectiles. This gun is equipped with a fume extractor and an aiming or sighting system that includes a laser rangefinder, enabling more accurate targeting and improved battlefield lethality. Additionally, the main gun can potentially be coupled with an automatic loading system, reducing the crew’s workload and allowing for faster reloading in high-stakes combat.
Secondary armament includes a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun to the left of the main gun, as well as a 30mm automatic grenade launcher mounted on the front hatch of the turret. These weapons enhance the Cheonma-2’s close-range combat effectiveness and its ability to engage infantry and light vehicles.
Visually, the hull of the Cheonma-2 resembles that of the Russian T-14 Armata tank, featuring ERA blocks arranged along each side to protect the crew. The tank also includes steps on both ends of the ERA blocks, facilitating easier access for the crew. Additionally, the front of the hull is equipped with periscopes that expand the driver’s field of vision, while large grilles at the rear provide effective heat evacuation for the engine.
The exhaust system, positioned on the left side, required modifications to the hull’s wire cage armor, potentially affecting its structural integrity. The suspension system follows a Soviet-style design with seven road wheels on each side, protected by upper armor plates and rubber skirts over the road wheels. Wire cage armor on the rear of the turret and sides, reminiscent of Russian tank designs, provides additional protection against anti-tank infantry weapons. However, the rear hull lacks similar protection, indicating a vulnerability that adversaries could exploit in combat scenarios.
The development of the Cheonma-2 marks a significant advancement in North Korea’s tank production capabilities. North Korean tank development dates back to the Korean War, initially relying on Soviet and Chinese models like the T-34 and Type 59. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, North Korea developed the Chonma-ho series, based on the Soviet T-62, which introduced incremental improvements in armor, firepower, and mobility.
In the 1990s, the introduction of the Songun-915 model, which incorporated design elements from the Russian T-72 and Chinese Type 88, marked North Korea’s shift toward self-reliance in military production. This trajectory continued with the introduction of the Pokpung-ho in the early 2000s, a tank influenced by the Soviet T-80 and Chinese Type 96. The Cheonma-2’s recent unveiling reflects North Korea’s continued efforts to enhance its domestic defense capabilities while drawing on foreign tank designs.
The unveiling of the Cheonma-2, a modernized battle tank with enhanced firepower and protective measures, underscores North Korea’s determination to bolster its military capabilities amid regional tensions. The March 2024 demonstration of the Cheonma-2 during combined exercises involving North Korean tank and mechanized units coincided with joint military drills between South Korea and the United States. This alignment highlights the geopolitical undercurrents in the Korean Peninsula, where military posturing often serves as both a deterrent and a reminder of the regional security complexities.
While it remains uncertain how many Cheonma-2 tanks North Korea intends to produce, the expanded capacity of the Kusong tank plant signals an intent for significant production. This production increase aligns with North Korea’s longstanding strategy of military modernization, which includes bolstering its armored vehicle capabilities.
