View source for M-1978 Koksan

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = M-1978 Koksan<br>{{native name|ko|주체포}}
| image              = 170mm M1989 Koksan - North Korea Victory Day-2013 01.jpg
| image_size         = 300px
| caption            = A North Korean M-1989 version of Koksan photographed in North Korea in 2013.
| origin             = [[North Korea]]
| type               = [[Self-propelled artillery]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_explosive       = 
| is_artillery       = yes
| is_vehicle         = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1978–present
| used_by            = See ''[[#Operators|operators]]''
| wars               = [[Iran–Iraq War]] <br />
[[Russian Invasion of Ukraine]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = Second Economic Committee{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|page=1}}
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 
| variants           = See ''[[#Variants|variants]]''
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = M-1978 Koksan
| weight             = {{convert|40000|kg|abbr=on}}
| length             = {{convert|14.9|m|abbr=on}}
| part_length        = 
| width              = {{convert|3.27|m|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{convert|3.1|m|abbr=on}}
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 4, up to 6 (presumed)<ref name="CSIS" />
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = 
| caliber            = {{convert|170|mm|inch|abbr=on}} L/66<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/04/north-korean-artillery-koksan-gun-could-be-inaccurate-unreliable/ | title=The 170 mm Koksan, North Korea's Not-So-Frightening Tool of Terror | website=[[National Review]] | date=5 April 2018 }}</ref>
| action             = 
| rate               = ~1−2 rounds per 5 minutes<ref name="CSIS" /> 2 per minute for M1989<ref>https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250619_18/</ref>
| velocity           = 
| range              = {{convert|40-50|km|mi|abbr=on}} (est.)<ref name="CSIS">{{cite web |title=Koksan M1978 |url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/koksan-m1978/ |website=Missile Threat |publisher=[[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] |access-date=17 November 2024 |date=23 April 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|LaPorte|Odierno|1996|page=7}}
| max_range          = {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} (with [[Rocket-assisted projectile|RAP]] round)<ref name="CSIS" />
| feed               = 
| sights             = <!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = 
| recoil             = [[Hydraulic recoil mechanism|Hydraulic]]{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|page=1}}
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = 
| traverse           = <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = Steel
| primary_armament   = 1× {{convert|170|mm|inch|abbr=on}} rifled gun
| secondary_armament = 
| engine             = Diesel
| engine_power       = {{convert|520|hp|abbr=on}}
| pw_ratio           = 
| suspension         = torsion bar
| vehicle_range      = {{cvt|250-350|km}} (road){{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|page=2}}
| speed              = {{cvt|30-40|km/h}}{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|page=2}} 
| guidance           = 
| ref                = {{sfn|Foss|2011|page=830}}
}}
{{Infobox Korean name
|hangul=[[Juche|주체]]포
|hanja={{linktext|主體|砲|}}
|rr=Juchepo
|mr=Chuch'ep'o
}}

'''M-1978 Koksan''' ({{korean|M-1978 곡산|M-1978 谷山}}), a name used by US military analysts, known by its makers as the '''Chuch'ep'o'''<ref>http://www.vtg.mod.gov.rs/archive/2018/military-technical-courier-3-2018.pdf</ref> ('''Juche Cannon'''; {{korean|주체포|主體砲}}), is a [[North Korea]]n [[Self-propelled artillery|self-propelled]] {{convert|170|mm|in|abbr=on}} gun based on the Type 59 tank chassis.

Some guns were exported to [[Middle East]]ern countries in the late 1980s and used during the [[Iran-Iraq War]]. The M-1989 Koksan variant has seen use in the [[Kursk offensive (2024–present)]].

==Development==
According to former ''[[Jane's Information Group|Janes]]'' editor, [[Christopher F Foss]], the Koksan is based on a Chinese [[Type 59 tank|Type 59]] tank chassis, while Mitzer and Oliemans note the possibility of being a Soviet [[T-54/T-55]] tank chassis instead.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}}{{sfn|Mitzer|Oliemans|2020|pages=61–63}} The 170&nbsp;mm gun is in an open mount with no [[superstructure]] and is stabilized when firing by two large folding spades at the rear. It also has a multislotted muzzle brake (but no fume extractor) and probably a power rammer. Elevation and traverse appear to be powered, although gun traverse is very limited to avoid overstressing the chassis.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}} The gun has a range that would allow it to strike [[Seoul]] from the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone]].{{sfn|Cordesman|Hess|2013|page=77}} The range appears to have determined the choice of caliber.{{sfn|Mitzer|Oliemans|2020|pages=61–63}}

According to Foss, the 170&nbsp;mm gun may be a Russian [[naval gun]] or [[coastal artillery]] system supplied to North Korea in the 1950s. After these were replaced in the coastal defence role by guided missiles, the retired guns could have been used to create the Koksan;{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}} another suggestion is that it was based on the German World War 2 era [[17 cm Kanone 18]].{{sfn|Mitzer|Oliemans|2020|pages=61–63}} According to Bermudez Jr., the gun appears to be an indigenous design influenced by the German gun and the Japanese [[Type 96 15 cm cannon]], which was mounted on coastal defence fortresses in the Korean peninsula controlled by the [[Seventeenth Area Army]] during the final stages of WWII.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|pages=1−2}}

==Variants==

===M-1978 Koksan===

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 County|Koksan]], North Korea.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}}

The system is based on the T-55 or Type 59 main battle tank chassis, with the turret removed, plated over and mounting a {{cvt|170|mm}} rifled gun.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}} The gun is fitted with two hydraulic recoil and stabilizing spades at the rear and a large folding lock for the gun for travelling.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|page=1}} According to Bermudez Jr., the Koksan can fire [[high-explosive fragmentation]] (HE-FRAG), and [[rocket-assisted projectile]]s (RAP). It is also possible that the North Koreans have developed [[chemical weapon|chemical rounds]] for the gun.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|page=2}} 

According to Foss, the M-1978 is probably fitted with an [[NBC protection]] system and infrared [[night vision sight]]s for the driver. Like the Type 59 tank, the M-1978 can lay its own smokescreen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}} The M-1978 chassis does not have enough space for the gun crew and ammunition, requiring another vehicle to carry the remainder of the crew and some of the ammunition. Presumably, the chassis provides the crew with the same level of protection as the Type 59 MBT.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}}

===180&nbsp;mm M-1978===

A M-1978 with a mounted {{cvt|180|mm}} gun instead. According to Bermudez Jr., this variant was either built by North Korea for [[Iran]] and captured later by [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]]i forces during the [[Iran-Iraq War]], or a Iraqi design based on the Koksan.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|page=2}} It can be distinguished by the barrel and the pepperpot-shaped muzzle brake.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|page=6}}

===M-1989 Koksan===

Also known as the '''M-1989 Juche''',{{sfn|Foss|2011|pages=828−829}} it uses the same gun and mount of the M-1978, but is mounted on a modified {{ill|AT-S|ru|АТ-С}} tracked artillery tractor chassis.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=830}} It can be distinguished from the M-1978 by the longer chassis. The forward road wheels are more widely separated from the rest, providing greater reliability, stability, and crew comfort in comparison to its predecessor. Two armoured cabs located in the front and center of the vehicle provide protection to the onboard crew members including the driver and commander, while the rest of the crew are carried on a separate vehicle carrying extra ammunition.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011a|page=1}}

During parades, one of the crew members is often seen armed with a [[9K34 Strela-3]] or a [[9K310 Igla-1]] shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile. According to Bermudez Jr., the M-1989 has a passing resemblance to the Soviet [[2S7 Pion]] self-propelled gun, which may have inspired the North Koreans.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011a|pages=1−2}} The M-1989 can carry 12 rounds onboard.<ref name="CSIS" />

M-1989s deployed in the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] are fitted with additional [[slat armor]] to mitigate the effect of [[loitering munitions]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukrainian HIMARS Strikes North Korean Artillery Systems in Kursk Region |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/49186 |access-date=23 March 2025 |work=[[The Kyiv Post]] |date=19 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319120805/https://www.kyivpost.com/post/49186 |archive-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>

Unlike its predecessor, the M-1989 has occasionally been put on public display by the North Koreans during parades and news broadcasts.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011a|page=2}} One example has also been seen on display at International Defence Exhibition and Conference 2005 in the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Oryx|title=Inconvenient arms: North Korean weapons in the Middle East|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/11/inconvenient-arms-north-korean-weapons.html|access-date=2020-11-10|website=Oryx Blog}}</ref>

==Organization==

Little is publicly known about how North Korea organizes and deploys its artillery. It has been suggested by Bermudez Jr. that battalions equipped with M-1978s and M-1989s have 12 guns, 20-30 trucks and 150-190 personnel, organized into a battalion headquarters and three batteries with four guns per battery. Battalions are organized into a brigade consisting of 3 to 6 battalions, with a brigade headquarters and supporting engineer, air-defense and target acquisition units.{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011a|page=2}} According to Foss, the Koksan was originally employed in regiments with 36 guns each.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}}

==Operational history==

{{more citations needed section|date=August 2020}}

[[file:Koksan being towed by a M88-tank.jpg|thumb|left|A 180&nbsp;mm Koksan, found on the campus of the [[University of Anbar]] is removed by US Marines in November 2008]]

===Iran–Iraq War===

In 1987, several M-1978s were supplied to Iran and used during the Iran–Iraq War. Some of them were damaged, destroyed, or captured by Iraqi forces.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Defense Intelligence Agency |title=Middle East/North Africa Security Review |url=https://www.dia.mil/FOIA/FOIA-Electronic-Reading-Room/FileId/162654/ |website=FOIA Electronic Reading Room |access-date=16 April 2024 |page=21 |date=1989 |author1-link=Defense Intelligence Agency }}</ref>

Iran used the weapon system around [[Al-Faw]] and for strikes on Kuwaiti oil production facilities.{{sfn|Mitzer|Oliemans|2020|pages=61–63}}

A number of the captured Iranian guns were placed on public display. At least one of these was recovered by US Marines in 2008 from the campus of the [[University of Anbar]].{{sfn|Bermudez Jr.|2011|pages=2,7}}

===Al Anbar University===

A Koksan artillery piece was towed to University of Anbar around the 29 May 2003. At this time, soldiers from the United States 2/5 Field Artillery Battalion had been occupying the grounds of the university. The self-propelled weapon was towed to the university grounds so that it could be returned with the unit as a trophy, an idea that was eventually abandoned. At this time soldiers from the 2/5 Battalion disabled the gun with a [[thermite]] device. Eventually, the 2/5 Battalion was reassigned to a new area of operations and the cannon was left at the university.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

===Russian invasion of Ukraine===
On 14 November 2024, [[Open-source intelligence|OSINT]] analysis geolocated the M-1989 Koksan being transported by rail in the city of [[Krasnoyarsk]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=14 November 2024|title=North Korean Long-Range Self-Propelled Artillery Appears In Russia|url=https://www.twz.com/land/north-korean-long-range-self-propelled-artillery-appears-in-russia|work=The War Zone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |author-link= David Axe |title=It Seems North Korea Is Shipping Its Biggest Guns To Russia, So Russia Can Fire Them At Ukraine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/11/14/it-seems-north-korea-is-shipping-its-biggest-guns-to-russia-so-russia-can-fire-them-at-ukraine/ |date=2024-11-14 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Ukrainian intelligence sources claimed that Russia had acquired at least 50 M-1989 Koksans by mid-November.<ref>{{Cite news |title=North Korea 'supplying Russia' with long-range rocket and artillery systems | newspaper=Financial Times| url=https://www.ft.com/content/83ad844b-8ebd-45a9-9c12-9c4c8506e25b| last1=Miller| first1=Christopher}}</ref> Defence analysts told ''[[NK News]]'' that the transfer of Koksans would help Russia reinforce its arsenal of heavy artillery such as the [[2S7 Pion]] and 2S7M Malka, and that North Korea would probably send artillery crews to operate them.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sokolin |first1=Anton |last2=Reddy |first2=Shreyas |title='Monstrous' North Korean artillery spotted in Russia, likely for use in Ukraine |url=https://www.nknews.org/2024/11/monstrous-north-korean-artillery-spotted-in-russia-likely-for-use-in-ukraine/ |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=NK News - North Korea News |date=15 November 2024}}</ref> In November 2024, the Ukrainian [[Main Directorate of Intelligence (Ukraine)|Main Directorate of Intelligence]] (HUR) reported that over 60 M-1989 Koksans were in Russia, some of which would be transferred to the [[Saratov]] Artillery Command School for training purposes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Stepanenko |first2=Kateryna |last3=Evans |first3=Angelica |last4=Mappes |first4=Grace |last5=Wolkov |first5=Nicole |last6=Runkel |first6=William |last7=Barros |first7=George |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 29, 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-29-2024 |website=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=14 January 2025 |language=en |date=29 November 2024}}</ref>

As of January 2025 it was not clear if these were exclusively used by [[North Korean involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Kursk offensive|North Korean troops in Kursk]], or supplied to Russia.<ref name="Newdick">{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=North Korean Air Defense System Revealed In Ukraine By Russian Friendly Fire Strike |url=https://www.twz.com/land/north-korean-air-defense-system-revealed-in-ukraine-by-russian-friendly-fire-strike |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=The War Zone |date=13 January 2025}}</ref> On 22 January 2025 the head of the HUR, Lt. General [[Kyrylo Budanov]] told ''The War Zone'' that Russia had been provided with 120 M-1989 Koksans in the previous three months, and that North Korea "will likely send at least as many more in the future".<ref name="Altman">{{cite news |last1=Altman |first1=Howard |title=More North Korean Artillery Troops Heading To Russia: Ukraine Intel Chief |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/more-north-korean-artillery-troops-heading-to-russia-ukraine-intel-chief |access-date=24 January 2025 |work=The War Zone |date=22 January 2025}}</ref>

According to the ''[[ZDF]]'', Russia received up to 200 systems from North Korea. As of April 2025, Ukraine reportedly destroyed five M-1989 Koksans with drones,<ref name="Moscow Times">{{cite news |title=Russia Transfers North Korean Heavy Artillery to Crimea – ZDF |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/04/russia-transfers-north-korean-heavy-artillery-to-crimea-zdf-a88615 |access-date=2 May 2025 |work=The Moscow Times |date=4 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref> while the OSINT website ''[[Oryx (website)|Oryx]]'' states that one was visually confirmed as destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Janovsky |first1=Jakub |last2=Naalsio |last3=Aloha |last4=Dan |last5=Kemal |last6=Black |first6=Alexander |title=Attack On Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html |website=Oryx |access-date=2 May 2025}}</ref>

==Operators==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

[[File:Current former users M1978 koksan.svg|thumb|Map with M-1978 Koksan operators in blue and former operators in red]]

===Current===
* {{flag|Iran}}{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=830}} − M-1978 variant<ref>{{Cite web|last=Oryx|title=The Oryx Handbook of Iranian Fighting Vehicles|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/01/the-oryx-handbook-of-iranian-fighting.html|access-date=2020-12-15|website=Oryx Blog}}</ref>
* {{flag|North Korea}}{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=830}}
* {{RUS}} − Up to 200 systems, according to the ''[[ZDF]]''<ref name="Moscow Times" />

===Former===
* {{flag|Iraq|1991}} − Captured from Iran{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}}
* {{UAE}} − Received some M-1989 Koksans, no longer operational{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=829}}

==See also==
{{Portal|North Korea}}
* [[2S7 Pion]], a similar Soviet heavy self-propelled artillery piece
* [[M107 self-propelled gun]], heavy SPG formerly used by the United States and NATO-countries

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Bermudez Jr. |first1=Joseph S. |title=M-1979/M-1989 170 mm Self-propelled Guns, Part I |journal=KPA Journal |date=June 2011 |volume=2 |issue=6 |pages=1−7 |url=http://www.kpajournal.com/vol-2-no-6-june-2011/ |language=en}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Bermudez Jr. |first1=Joseph S. |title=M-1979/M-1989 170 mm Self-propelled Guns, Part II |journal=KPA Journal |date=July 2011a |volume=2 |issue=7 |pages=1−8 |url=http://www.kpajournal.com/vol-2-no-7-july-2011/ |language=en}}
*{{cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H |last2=Hess |first2=Ashley |author1-link=Anthony H. Cordesman |title=The Evolving Military Balance in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia: Conventional Balance, Asymmetric Forces, and U.S. Forces |date=2013 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-2518-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y33yAwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F |editor1-link=Christopher F Foss |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2011-2012 |date=2011 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-2960-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/janesarmourartil0000unse |language=en}}
*{{cite journal |last1=LaPorte |first1=Maj. Gen. Leon J |last2=Odierno |first2=Col. Raymond T. |title=Massing Combat Effects: 1st Cav Fire Support TTP |journal=Field Artillery |date=September–October 1996 |pages=6–11 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgMuAAAAYAAJ&dq=koksan+long+range+artillery&pg=RA4-PA7 |access-date=17 November 2024 |publisher=US Field Artillery Association |location=Fort Sill, OK |language=en |issn=0899-2525}}
*{{cite book |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=The Armed Forces of North Korea: On the Path of Songun |publisher=Helion & Company |date=2020 |isbn=978-1-910777-14-5 }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Juche (SPG)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{North Korea AFVs}}
{{Tanks converted to armored vehicles}}
{{T-54/T-55_navigation|style=wide}}

[[Category:Tracked self-propelled howitzers]]
[[Category:170 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Self-propelled artillery of Iran]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Self-propelled howitzers of North Korea]]