North Korean Howitzers bolster Russian arsenal amid shortages

Russia, struggling with a shortage of artillery, received hundreds of Koksan self-propelled howitzers from North Korea. According to the Ukrainian agency Unian, these guns are distinct compared to Russian designs, as they have an unusual calibre of 170 mm. The military expert Denis Popovych, quoted by Unian, notes that although their rate of fire is low, the number of Koksans may present a challenge for Ukraine.

"As far as the rate of fire is concerned, it is exceptionally low. A shot per minute or even less. To put it mildly, it is not a rapid-firing weapon," said Popovych. However, the concentration of Koksans could create "certain problems" for Ukraine. Besides the sheer number of these Korean weapons, the expert also points out that a relatively large range, reaching 40 kilometres, could be an issue.

"The Russians have a shortage of self-propelled howitzers. The depletion of Soviet weapon reserves in warehouses led them to start using towed guns earlier. Now they need the concentration of some self-propelled guns to have the ability to manoeuvre. That's why they are using North Korean guns," explained Popovych.

Unian warns that the potential threat from North Korean howitzers cannot be underestimated. Popovych notes that their presence on the front may affect the conflict's dynamics, posing new challenges for Ukraine in defending its positions. The increase in the number of such units may force Ukraine to adjust its defence strategy.

Let's recall that according to data revealed by the South Korean Ministry of Defense, the artillery ammunition supplies that North Korea directs to Russia are being conducted on a massive scale, comparable to the assistance provided to Ukraine by the entire European Union. Specifically, it refers to artillery shells with calibres of 122 mm and 152 mm, which are crucial for the most widespread Russian systems, such as the 2S3 Akatsiya, 2S5 Hyacinth, and 2S19 Msta.