Photos of North Korean long-range artillery systems arriving in Russia have emerged on Russian social media, sparking fresh discussions over recent military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow.
The images reportedly show the 170-mm M1989 “Koksan” self-propelled artillery unit being transported through Russian territory.
The M1989 “Koksan”—named after the city where it was first observed—is a heavy artillery system known for its long-range capabilities. The weapon system was first developed by North Korea in the 1980s, and its western designation, “M1989,” references the year it first appeared publicly.
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Information about the M1989 remains limited, but it is known to consist of a 170-mm gun mounted on a turret, placed on a modified tank chassis—typically derived from T-54, T-62, or Chinese Type 59 tanks. The artillery system has two primary versions: the M1979, which lacks an onboard ammunition storage system and is mounted on a T-54 or Type 59 chassis, and the M1989 model, which includes onboard storage for 12 rounds of ammunition and a protective cabin for the crew.
The M1989 “Koksan” boasts an effective firing range of up to 40 kilometers with conventional shells, and up to 60 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles, with a firing rate of one to two rounds every five minutes. The artillery’s extended reach and firepower have made it a formidable weapon in battlefield conditions.
Notably, the M1979 version of the “Koksan” was used during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), where it proved highly effective as a counter-battery weapon. The deployment of these artillery systems into Russia suggests a potential bolstering of Russian firepower amid ongoing military activities in Ukraine, as Russia continues to seek new sources of equipment and capabilities.
