The Chonma-ho weighed in at reported 40 tons and featured a hull length of 6.63 meters with an overall height to the turret top of 3.52 meters. Standard operating crew consisted of four personnel made up of the driver, tank commander, gunner and loader. Protection consisted of "spaced" armor across all facings and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) was found on later production models, particularly along the turret sides. The turret construction itself was of cast armor. Power was derived from a diesel engine fitted to a rear compartment for maximum survivability. Output was rated around 750 horsepower allowing for speeds of up to 50kmh with an operational range of 450km. The suspension system was of the torsion-bar variety allowing for capable cross-country performance. Primary armament centered around the standard 115mm 2A20 series smoothbore main gun though the tank series has since been upgraded with the more potent 125mm 2A46 series smoothbore in later models. Secondary armament was made up of a 14.5mm KPV anti-aircraft heavy machine gun complemented by a 7.62mm PKT coaxial anti-infantry machine gun. Smoke grenade dischargers were eventually added to the production series to the turret sides.
Up to five different forms of the Chonma-ho are believed to have existed, either based on a Syrain T-62 development or following closely to a Soviet T-62D. Internal upgrade programs have driven the Chonma-ho further away from its foreign roots making for a decidedly North Korean end-product. As such, basic designations were applied to signify varying degrees of changes from model to model. This included the marks of Chonma-ho I (Ga), Chonma-ho II (Na), Chonma-ho III (Da), Chonma-ho IV (Ra) and Chonma-ho V (Ma). The Chonma-ho I was the copied T-62 while the Chonma-ho II covered imported T-62s sporting a laser rangefinder above the gun mantlet. The Chonma-ho III was thought to include improved armor for the hull and turret as well as a newly-designed thermal shroud for the main gun. The Chonma-ho IV and V models are thought to be the latest incarnations of the Chonma-ho series, differentiated by ERA blocks on the turret sides in the IV variant (as well as additional rear stowage) and side turret-mounted smoke grenade dischargers, a new engine, ERA blocks, a 125mm main gun and nightvision capability in the V variant. Beyond these direct variants, the chassis of the Chonma-ho has also been used in the production of an Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) version as well as a command vehicle sporting a faux main gun and additional communications equipment. The "Juche-Po" is a self-propelled gun utilizing the chassis of the Chonma-ho and a variety of large caliber main guns (as large as 152mm) in rounded enclosed turret fittings. Since the North Korean Army places a great deal of value on artillery systems in their inventory, the development of Juche-Po is not wholly unexpected.
As with other North Korean indigenous programs, little is known about the origins of the critical components and parts needed to manufacture such a weapon system as the Chonma-ho. Some key elements are thought to be imported to save valuable development and production time with sources of origin possibly being Russia, Slovakia or Syria. The rest is assumed to be indigenous for North Korea does maintain some manufacturing capabilities and past expertise in their years of operating (and producing) Soviet equipment.
Iran is the only other known operator of the Chonma-ho, ordering 150 examples in 1981. These were delivered by North Korea beginning in 1982 with the deal completing in 1985.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.