North Korea Developed Counterpart to American M1129 Self-Propelled Mortar
North Korea has developed a copy of the American M1129 self-propelled mortar. The wheeled armored vehicle was demonstrated during the Defense Development-2025 military exhibition.
The M2020 armored personnel carrier with an 8×8 wheel configuration likely served as the base for the system. In the rear section of the hull, the developers integrated a 120 mm mortar housed in a special combat compartment.
In the published photo, it is evident that massive armored hatches open on the roof to bring the system into a firing position, after which the mortar barrel is raised. The design allows for firing directly from the vehicle’s hull, ensuring rapid deployment to a firing position.
A remotely controlled combat module has been installed at the front for self-defense. It is armed with an automatic grenade launcher that resembles a local modification of the Soviet AGS-17.
On the side of the hull, blocks of three smoke grenade launchers are mounted, and entrenching tools—an axe and a shovel—are secured. The photo also clearly shows additional armor panels mounted on bolted joints along the upper part of the hull.
Earlier, the North Korean defense industry presented a similar wheeled tank that copies the American M1128 MGS.
Source: Militaryni
