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M-2018 155mm SPH

At the North Korean military parade on 09 September 2019, a special weapon system was particularly eye-catching. This new type of self-propelled artillery, currently named M-2018 self-propelled artillery in the West, was without similar artillery, and its source cannot be determined.

It was unlike the distinctive Soviet-Eastern style of many of North Korea’s weapons, The artillery chassis is similar to the T-72, with a T-72 engine centrifugal fan on the front of the vehicle. But the turret layout is difficult to find in the contemporary artillery families of other countries. It is not so much an oriental style, but more like a member of the M109 family.

According to the statements of North Korean defectors, the modified artillery seems to have Iranian origin. North Korea’s military strength has been greatly affected by the sanctions. North Korea’s self-propelled artillery technology began in the 1970s, using T-55 chassis technology, with calibers covering 100 mm, 122 mm, 130 mm and 152 mm. The main drawback is that the T-55 chassis had limited load, so the armor had to be lowered. With an open roof structure, the crew protection system was poor. On the whole, it is far from the world's most advanced technology.

In recent years, North Korea’s engine technology has developed, combined with foreign designs. North Korea’s new self-propelled artillery M-2018 is similar to Iran’s RAAD-2 self-propelled artillery in six aspects:

1. Centrifugal fan at the front of the car body
2. Rubber track (this one is very far-fetched, North Korea’s is a single-sale track, while Iran’s is a double-sale track.)
3. Six pairs of road wheels consistent with the main battle tank.
4. Rubber side skirts
5. Similar polygonal turret
6. Position of the turret side door

These similarities exclude the Chinese and Russian origin of the M-2018 self-propelled artillery.

In recent years, North Korea owed Russian military trade payments, and it had been difficult to seek technical support from Russia. Although the Storm Tiger series tanks were considered to have T-72 pedigree, from the perspective of the vehicle body, they seem to be closer to the T-62 tank.

So where does the T-72 tank technology come from? In 1990, an Iranian state-owned company obtained a license to assemble Russian T-72S tanks and BMP-2 IFVS infantry fighting vehicles. But it did not enter production, but stored technology. Iran was previously equipped with Americna-origin M109 self-propelled artillery and M110 self-propelled artillery. With the Islamic Revolution, it was obviously impossible to obtain follow-up vehicles. Therefore, Iran used the BMP-2 IFVS infantry fighting vehicle, equipped with 122 mm artillery and T-72 tank chassis, equipped with a 155mm gun. This type of gun is the RAAD-2 self-propelled gun.

Around 2000, RAAD-2 entered service. According to analysis, the Raad-2 self-propelled artillery was equipped with the M185 type of artillery equipped with M-109. Why Iran could "cottage" this artillery, and other details of the Raad-2 self-propelled artillery are currently unknown. Judging from the position of the centrifugal fan at the front of the car, it should be a T-72V-12 diesel engine.

Viewed from the front of the North Korean car body, would be equipped with a T-72V-12 diesel engine. The main difference between the Iranian and North Korean cousins is the artillery. The M-2018 uses a 152/155mm artillery, the barrel should be 52/45 times the diameter, and two recoil devices are on both sides of the barrel. In terms of firepower, it is no more than a jump to the South Korean K5 series self-propelled artillery. The parade did not see relevant supporting vehicles. It can be considered that the reloading capability is not strong and the firepower is poor, but North Korea seems to think that the range can make up for everything.

In recent years, North Korea and Iran have cooperated closely, and the military alliance between Iran and North Korea is slowly emerging. Although it seems that the technical level of the two is not high, it is undeniable that both sides are learning from each other's strengths and rapidly improving their military standards. The path of cooperation between the two parties seems to be North Korea's export of missile technology to Iran, while Iran's export of conventional weapons to North Korea. The Iranian Meteor series of missiles can always see the shadow of the Labor series of missiles. Iran’s T-72 chassis technology can allow people to explain the technological leap of the North Korean Storm Tiger.

North Korea and Iran are countries with a certain military level in their respective regions, and the military alliance between the two will undoubtedly have a great impact on their respective regions.