Information About

M-2002




M-2002 is the unofficial codename given to a North Korea n Tank , but its Korean name is 폭풍호 (Pok-Pung Ho), which means "storm". According to a June 17 , 2002 Chosun Ilbo report, North Korea may have developed this tank with capabilities similar or nearly identical to the Russia n T-90 that was developed in the 1990s . The tank underwent performance tests outside Pyongyang on February 16 , 2002 , and is believed to be based on the T-72, but may also be based on the T-80 or the T-90.

The tank was developed by the Ryu Kyong-su Tank Factory , located in Sinhung , South Hamgyong Province.

North Korea's interest in the T-90 was demonstrated in August 2001 when Kim Jong-il , during his trip to Russia, visited the Transmash defense plant which builds the T-90. It has also been reported that North Korea has acquired a single T-90S during the same period. North Korea may have since then used the T-90S as a reference to build a tank with similar capabilities to it.

Known specs are as follows:

125mm smoothbore gun

Fire control syetem

Laser range finder

Explosive reactive armour

Infrared Sensor

4X Anti-Air missiles

Machine Gun

Six sets of wheels (within the caterpillar)


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