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Chinese-Made Cold War-Era Rockets Found in North Korean MLRS Used by Russia, New Images Show
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russian forces are employing Chinese-made 107mm rockets for North Korean Type-75 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), raising questions about the scale of North Korean supplies and the use of alternative sourcing channels in the war.
According to Defense Express on August 8, photographs of the Chinese high-explosive fragmentation rockets—identified in Russian records as RSZO-107-OF—were located by the editorial team of SPJ “Vodohrai.” Their origin was determined by the paint color and markings.
The Type-75, supplied to Russia by North Korea, is a copy of China’s Type-63 MLRS, making the systems compatible with Chinese-produced ammunition.
The examined rockets bear a 1990 production date, indicating they are not newly manufactured. While their direct shipment from China is considered unlikely due to current political dynamics, they may have entered Russia through secondary channels.
It is assessed that North Korea provided only a limited number of its own rockets, prompting Russia to acquire additional stocks via the black market. Potential suppliers include Iran and arms markets in Africa.
Technical specifications for the Chinese-manufactured rockets are not publicly available, though they are believed to be nearly identical to North Korean models. The main differences may lie in consistency and manufacturing quality, potentially favoring the Chinese versions.
While there is no evidence that China has directly supplied ammunition to Russia, Beijing continues to provide equipment and components that could support the development of Russia’s domestic defense production and help bypass international sanctions.
Earlier, on July 6, footage showed Russian forces using tracked “Varan” robotic platforms to transport and operate North Korean-made Type-75 MLRS armed with RSZO-107-OF rockets. The system had been spotted in late June following its delivery from North Korea, after previous deployments of the Varan equipped with electronic warfare systems and anti-tank missile modules.
