D
Land ForcesNorth Korea

M-1978 Koksan

170 mm self-propelled gunIn serviceFielded 1978Pending verification
Land ForcesPRK
M-1978 Koksan
Photo: Stefan Krasowski · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
Type170 mm self-propelled gun
Date of introduction1978
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerSecond Machine Industry Bureau, North KoreaMed[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Displacement timeless than 10 minMed[1]
Emplacement timeless than 20 minMed[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length14.9 m49 ftMed[1]
Width3.27 m11 ftMed[1]
Height3.1 m10 ftMed[1]
Combat weight40 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
Chassismodified Chinese Type 59 medium tank chassis (copy of the Soviet T-54A)Med[1]
EngineV-59Med[1]
Engine power520 hpMed[1]
Cruising range300 km186 mi · 162 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed40 km/h25 mph · 22 ktMed[1]
Cross-country speed10 km/h6 mph · 5 ktMed[1]
Fording depth1.2 mMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorOpen-mounted, providing no armored protectionMed[1]
Turret ArmorOpen-mounted, providing no armored protectionMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke EquipmentYes, smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outletMed[1]
Armament
LoaderManualMed[1]
Rate of fire (max)1-2 per 5 minMed[1]
Main armamentUnidentified 170mm gunMed[1]
Maximum firing range40 km25 mi · 22 nmiMed[1]
Fire control
Thermal Sight Vehicle CommanderYes, infra-red night vision equipmentMed[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerYes, infra-red night vision equipmentMed[1]
Main Gun StabilizationYes, Two large spades that are lowered to the ground manually before firingMed[1]
Variants
M-1989he M1989 self-propelled gun was developed as a successor to the previous M1978 Koksan. Designation of this vehicle has been allocated by the US Department of Defense. Number in the designation indicates the year it was f[1]
Weapons and payload options · 2Confidence · Source
HE FRAG170 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
40 km25 mi · 22 nmi
Quantity
INA
Muzzle velocity
INA
Rocket Assisted HE FRAG170 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
60 km37 mi · 32 nmi
Quantity
INA
Muzzle velocity
INA
Summary

The M-1978 Koksan is a 170mm self-propelled gun of North Korean design and manufacture. Very little information is available due to the secretive nature of the North Korean government.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
North Korea
Sources
  1. M-1978 Koksan North Korea 170mm Self-Propelled Gun (SPG), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-04 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
  • 2026-10-05 Added photo (CC BY 2.0)