Ukraine Destroys Elusive North Korean Koksan Supergun in Operation Vivaldi

Ukrainian drone operators from the 3rd Army Corps destroyed a North Korean-made Koksan self-propelled artillery system in the Donetsk region during Operation Vivaldi, according to footage released by Ukraine’s 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade on October 22.

The strike was carried out by operators from the brigade’s Fatum unit, which published a new compilation showing attacks on Russian equipment and personnel.

“Hellish autumn notes of ‘Vivaldi.’ Operators of Fatum from the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade burned a North Korean Koksan self-propelled gun, as well as several vehicles. In addition, quad bikes and buggies were destroyed, along with enemy infantry moving on them. The pilots of the Troika continue to erase the enemy,” the brigade said.

The Koksan is North Korea’s longest-range conventional tube-artillery system and one of the most unusual weapons Pyongyang has supplied to Russia. Western intelligence first identified the system in 1979 near the North Korean city of Koksan, which later gave the artillery piece its commonly used Western name.

The original M1978 Koksan can reportedly strike targets at ranges of up to roughly 40 kilometers with standard ammunition and as far as 60 kilometers with rocket-assisted shells. Its rate of fire is relatively slow at around one to two rounds every five minutes, but its long reach allows it to operate well behind the immediate front line.

The weapon’s gun is mounted in an open configuration, providing little protection for its estimated four-to-six-person crew.

The earlier model also requires a separate vehicle to carry ammunition because of the size of the weapon and its shells, while the later M1989 variant can carry around 12 rounds onboard.

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War in Ukraine

The Koksan, North Korea’s Longest-Range Artillery Gun

Oct 23, 2024 19:08

The Koksan has combat history dating back decades. North Korea supplied the system to Iran, where it was used during the Iran-Iraq War and gained a reputation as an effective long-range counter-battery weapon.

Earlier, Ukrainian drone operators destroyed four North Korean–made M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery systems deployed by Russian forces.

The mission was carried out by the 412th Nemesis Regiment, which used both bomber drones and FPV drones to strike the weapons.

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