Bao Phong Ho - the most modern tank model of the North Korean army

The Bao Phong Ho tank was developed by North Korea on the Soviet T-62 chassis, equipped with modern technology demonstrating the country's military level.

Pokpung-ho tanks in a North Korean military parade

Despite being under an embargo from the United Nations, the North Korean defense industry still produces many modern weapons, including the Pokpung-ho (Storm Tiger) tank. This is the most modern tank model in North Korea's inventory, possessing many features comparable to modern tanks such as the American M1 Abrams or the South Korean K1, according to Tank Encyclopedia.

The Pokping-ho was designed and manufactured by North Korea, incorporating some technology from the Soviet T-62, T-72 and Chinese Type-88 tanks. With 250 produced, the 105th Guards Division is the only unit of the North Korean army that owns and operates this type of tank.

The Pokpung-ho was developed from the T-62 tank chassis provided by the Soviet Union. Limited access to modern technology forced North Korea to develop new tanks based on old tank chassis, integrating modern technology to compete with its rivals.

Due to its old chassis, improvements to the Pokpung-ho's protection system are mainly focused on equipping the hull and turret with composite armor and explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks. The frontal armor thickness of the Pokpung-ho is estimated to be equivalent to 500 mm of rolled homogeneous steel. This is an improvement similar to the Soviet T-62M tank in the 1980s.

Composite armor provides increased resistance to HEAT rounds, but it has little chance of stopping the kinetic energy penetrator sabot (APFSDS) rounds of the M1 Abrams and K1 tanks, which proved superior in the Gulf War.

Pokpung-ho tanks fire. Photo: KCNA.

North Korea focused on equipping the Pokpung-ho with very strong firepower to compensate for its weak defense. Early vehicles were equipped with 115mm 2A20 guns, similar to the T-62 tank. But from the Pokpung-ho II version, all tanks used 125mm 2A46 smoothbore guns.

North Korea has developed its own 125mm armor-piercing shell for the Pokpung-ho, but experts say it is unlikely to be able to compete with the APFSDS shells of the US and South Korea, due to the difference in scientific level. In recent images, North Korea has revealed a version of the Pokpung-ho carrying anti-tank missiles on the turret. This is a clear advantage, allowing it to destroy enemy tanks beyond the effective range of APFSDS shells.

Pyongyang also equipped the Pokpung-ho with shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, which can protect it from enemy helicopters and low-flying aircraft, a feature that the K1 and M1 Abrams lack. However, mounting anti-aircraft missiles on tanks also shows that North Korea does not have enough regional air defense capabilities, forcing them to let the tanks defend themselves.

To detect enemy tanks at long range, the Pokpung-ho needs a modern reconnaissance and targeting system. This is a fatal weakness of North Korean tanks. Due to lack of access to thermal imaging technology, the Pokpung-ho still uses conventional sighting equipment, technology from half a century ago.

The latest version of the Pokpung-ho with a missile launcher on the turret. Photo: KCNA.

Its night combat capabilities are also very poor, still relying on infrared lights or passive night vision goggles, making it easy for the enemy to detect. Meanwhile, American and Korean tanks both have thermal imaging sights, allowing them to detect targets from a long distance, in all weather conditions, day and night.

The Pokpung-ho is a source of pride for the North Korean defense industry. They can equip their tanks with many modern technologies, despite the embargo. However, the small number and poor quality put the Pokpung-ho at a clear disadvantage. Without a suitable fighting method, this tank will be heavily defeated by the US-South Korean armored and air forces, military expert Massimo Tessitori said.

According to VNE