What You Need to Know: North Korea unveiled its new Cheonma-2 (M2024) main battle tank (MBT) at the National Defense Development-2024 expo in Pyongyang, showcasing its growing ambitions in military technology. The Cheonma-2 features a 125mm main gun, active protection systems, and slat armor, drawing comparisons to Russia's T-14 Armata.

-However, its design appears rooted in older Soviet-era T-62 tanks, with no evidence of an autoloader.

-Likely developed as a response to South Korea's advanced K2 Black Panther MBT, the Cheonma-2 highlights North Korea's attempt to modernize its forces. However, limited production—just nine prototypes—suggests it won’t significantly alter the balance of power on the peninsula.

North Korean Unveils New Tank at National Defense Expo

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened his nation's " National Defense Development-2024" expo in Pyongyang, highlighting North Korea's newest attack drones and mobile-launched missiles. The domestic trade show also saw the unveiling of the domestically-built M2020 next-generation tank.

Also known as the Cheonma-2, it is reported to be equipped with active protection systems (APS) mounted on its turret that could (at least in theory) counter incoming aerial threats. The North Korean MBT was noted by the Defence-Blog for its similarity to the Russian-made Armata T-14 – which does raise the question as to whether we can ever expect to see this vehicle enter service.

Details Remain Sparse

This is just the most recent spotting of the Cheonma-2 and follows its appearance earlier this year during a military exercise, which was attended by Kim, Defense Minister Kang Sun-nam, and Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army Ri Yong-gil. At the time, Kim joined troops training on the tank – which was likely carefully staged to put the tank in the spotlight.

The next-generation MBT was first unveiled during a military parade in 2020 that honored the 75th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea. As the initial model was described as the M2020, the improved version has been dubbed the M2024, although its official designation is now believed to be Cheonma-2.

There are reports that nine prototypes may have been built­which tracks as six were spotted in the photos released by state media. While it has an appearance that is similar to the Russian T-14 Armata and Iranian Zulfiqar MBTs, it is believed to share some design features with the much older Soviet-designed T-62­which also is to be expected, as Pyongyang has a history of modifying the T-62. That includes a crew of four, which means it likely doesn't employ an autoloader.

The tank's hull is believed to feature armor plates on the sides, with slat armor on the rear of the hull protecting the engine while it is armed with a Soviet-designed 2A46 125mm main gun.

The capabilities of the Cheonma-2 would seem to be leaps and bounds over the Chonma-ho series of tanks that were based on the T-62, which North Korea began to produce in the 1970s and early 1980s. It is also far more advanced than the Songun-915 that Pyongyang was able to build with features taken from the Russian T-72 and Chinese Type 88 MBTs.

Response to K2

The Cheonma-2 was likely built in response to South Korea's K2 Black Panther, which is now seen as one of the best MBTs in the world today.

This further highlights the differences between two nations – South Korea is now able to export its K2 to partners including Poland and Peru, while North Korea likely won't produce many more Cheonma-2s than those nine prototypes.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

Image Credit: Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock. Main image is from North Korea. All others are of Russian T-14 Armata tanks. 

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