The North Korean KCNA news Agency reported that on March 13, 2024, the leader of the DPRK, Comrade Kim Jong-un, led a combat training competition between tank formations of the Korean People's Army (KPA) at the base of the "court" 105th Guards Seoul Tank Division named Ryu Kyung-soo, which was declared the winner of these competitions. The main news in these competitions was the first public "non-parade" demonstration of a new North Korean-made tank, known by the Western designation M-2020 (the North Korean designation is unknown). For the first time, these tanks were shown at a military parade in Pyongyang in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea on October 10, 2020. The serial number of this tank is also unknown.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is driving a new North Korean tank, known by the Western designation M-2020, 03/13/2024 (c) KCNA
Although the M-2020 tank looks outwardly like a kind of hybrid of the T-14 Armata and M1 Abrams tanks, however, as can be judged, it actually represents a fairly conservative classic layout design, which is the fruit of further development of copies of the Soviet T-62 tank and their modifications mass-produced in the DPRK. The tank has an inhabited tower, which houses three people. There is a driver mechanic in the tank body in front. The tank has the placement of part of the ammunition in an abandoned niche - apparently with knock-out panels - and, apparently, there is no automatic loader. The tank's armament includes a 115 mm (presumably) cannon, a two-shot ATGM lifting launcher with a laser guidance system, as well as a 30 mm automatic grenade launcher in a remotely controlled installation on the turret. The commander and the gunner have separate combined sights. The tank is equipped with an active protection complex, dynamic protection units on the hull and turret, protective grilles on the stern of the hull and turret and has a massive tower roof protection.
The KCNA message reads:
Pyongyang, March 14th. /KCNA/- Secretary General of the CPC, Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK, dear Comrade Kim Jong-un, on March 13, led training competitions between large KPA tank formations.
He was accompanied by the secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC, deputy chairman of the Central Committee of the party Park Chong Chong.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un was met on the spot by the Minister of Defense of the DPRK Kang Sun Nam, the Chief of the KPA General Staff Lee Yong-gir, the Deputy Minister of Defense for Armaments, the head of the Department of Tank Troops of the KPA General Staff and the commanders of large tank formations of the KPA.
The commanders of tank and mechanized units of all instances of the KPA watched the competition.
The competitions are aimed at strictly testing the practical skills of tankers and working out methods of conducting combat operations on various tactical tasks.
Distinguished tank crews from large tank formations participated in the competition.
In the hearts of the tankers participating in the competitions with joy and pride for demonstrating their combat actions in front of dear Comrade Kim Jong-un, there was a seething military desire to fully demonstrate the wisdom and prowess of the tankers, who in the crucible of the coup planned by our party in combat training grew up worthy owners of "iron horses", ready to fight the enemy according to the formula "one against a hundred."
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un went up to the observation post, where he received a report on the plan of training competitions between large tank formations and watched the competition.
When the competition began, the invincible tanks raced forward together, reflecting in their hum the valiant spirit of the tankers, completely filled with a firm fighting will to mercilessly destroy the enemy.
Driving at a fast speed along the highway, where various brutal combat conditions were created, the heavy tanks hit targets with one powerful blow and overcame strong defensive lines with high maneuverability.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un watched with satisfaction the attack of the "iron horses", which are rushing rapidly, shaking the earth. And he said with joy: that's great, it seems that the valor and audacity characteristic of our army are fully reflected in the majestic appearance of those tanks rapidly moving forward.
The tank competitions vividly demonstrated the impeccable practical skills and unparalleled fighting spirit of the valiant tankers, forging a strong combat unit with high maneuverability and striking force, as well as reliable power and constant combat readiness of tanks - one of the most powerful means of warfare.
The 105th Guards Seoul Tank Division named after Ryu Kyung-soo won the championship with an overwhelming advantage in the competition.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un congratulated the 105th Tank Division on its success in the competition. He said: the tankers of the division are very well trained, so far he has led many exercises of units of all types and branches of the armed forces, special forces, but he is most pleased with the combat readiness of the tankers participating in today's competitions. And he has repeatedly expressed great satisfaction, noting that if all the units and divisions of the army are prepared, like the units of the 105th Tank Division that participated in these competitions, then he will not worry at all about preparing for war.
Comrade Kim Jong-un said that the 105th Guards Seoul Tank Division named after Ryu Kyung-soo is a part with a glorious history and tradition of capturing the enemy capital, most of all rejoices that the unwavering spirit and heroic impulse of the Guards tankers of the war days and today is in full swing in the fighting spirit of tankers of new generations. And he highly appreciated the brave tankers of the division.
Also, Comrade Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction that the main tank of the new type, which for the first time demonstrated its amazing combat capability at today's tank competitions, perfectly demonstrated powerful striking force and maneuverability. He said that we can confidently be proud that our army has the most powerful tank in the world.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un once again highly appreciated the dedication and efforts of the military personnel of large tank formations, who, being in full combat readiness, are making every effort to prepare for war in the tank area. And he set program tasks for further extraordinary improvement of high morale in order to achieve leaps and bounds in improving the preparation for the conduct of war.
Stressing the important role and mission of tankers in modern warfare, he said that it is necessary to organize intensive practical exercises and competitions in order to improve combat capability, allowing you to urgently and accurately carry out any combat mission in various circumstances, if anything. And he noted that revolutionary measures should be taken to deploy various mass movements, including the movement for a universal crew, focusing all their vectors on improving preparations for waging war.
He stressed that it is necessary to prepare the spiritually strongest of all the tankers of the army, similar to the heroic tankers of the war days, who performed only proud feats with invincible courage, this is the most important thing. And he noted the need for constant ideological education in close combination with practical activities, so that tank units and units of all instances would vividly glorify the heroic combat exploits of previous generations and on today's battlefield.
Comrade Kim Jong-un expressed confidence that our brave tankers will be completely filled with a firm will to destroy enemies and will always be faithful to the struggle for further strengthening of the iron fist "one against a hundred" in order to continue to vividly demonstrate the valiant spirit of a combat-ready iron armored detachment.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un bypassed the tank crews of large formations participating in training competitions and inspired the tankers.
The tankers, who lined up at the training ground with glorious military banners in front of the great outstanding Commander, who showed great confidence and inspiration, expressed their boundless gratitude to Comrade Kim Jong-un.
After reviewing the tank crews, Comrade Kim Jong-un personally got into the main tank of a new type and, holding the steering wheel tightly, drove the tank, thereby strengthening the elated morale and impulse of the tankers of our army a hundredfold, imprinted in their hearts a consistent view of the enemy and the war.
All the soldiers of the tank units, looking at the majestic appearance of the all-conquering steel Commander, raised a storm of jubilation with shouts of "Manse!".
All the servicemen of the tank units strengthened their ardent determination to forge reliable fighters from themselves, opening the offensive paths with rapidly advancing tanks in the vanguard, keeping in their hearts the unprecedented courage and strong audacity received from Comrade Kim Jong-un.
Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un took a photo with the tankmen of the 105th Guards Seoul Tank Division named Ryu Kyung-soo, who won the championship at the competition with an overwhelming advantage.
The command staff of the People's Army and the participants of the competition took a firm oath to remain forever loyal to Comrade Kim Jong-un, who personally left immortal sacred footprints at the training ground, showed great love and trust, instilled fighting spirit and courage, and selflessly serve the Motherland and the people.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is driving a new North Korean tank, known by the Western designation M-2020, 03/13/2024 (c) KCNA
Images from the combat training competitions between tank formations of the Korean People's Army (KPA) conducted under the leadership of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In addition to the new M-2020 tanks, the main North Korean modern Jeonma-216 tanks (deep modernization of the T-62) and American-made Hughes 369E (MD 500E) light combat helicopters, 03/13/2024 (c) KCNA also participated in the competition
