The "Defense Development 2025" arms exhibition was held in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, where North Korea first demonstrated a new generation of military technology. Among the presented samples is a short-range anti-aircraft missile and gun complex mounted on a tracked chassis. This is reported by Defenсe Blog.
The system, in terms of external features, resembles the Russian Pantsir SAM system, but is adapted for a tracked platform. This type of chassis should provide better cross-country ability in difficult terrain conditions.
It is assumed that the complex is intended to accompany ground units, providing them with protection from drones and aircraft at short distances. It can also act as an element of multi-level air defense, covering strategic objects and supplementing long-range anti-aircraft systems. The technical characteristics of the complex are not officially disclosed.
Similar tracked modifications of the Pantsir are currently being developed in Russia as a replacement for the outdated Tunguska complexes. Their purpose is to protect against drones and support a multi-level air defense system, including covering strategic facilities and long-range missile installations.
Recall that the Pantsir-S1 SAM system has a combined armament for the area of destruction of targets at close range: missiles (12 units) and automatic cannons (1,400 shells). Missiles can hit targets at a distance of up to 20 km and at an altitude of up to 15 km. Cannon armament (two 30-mm double-barreled cannons) is used to hit targets at a distance of up to 4 km. The modernized version of the Pantsir-S1M received new missiles, which increased the range of destruction to 30 km and altitude to 18 km, and the range of target detection increased to 75 km.
It is reported that the DPRK has received from Russia a naval version of the Pantsir-ME complex, which has already been installed on the first North Korean destroyer. This indicates the expansion of military-technical cooperation between the Russian Federation and the DPRK.
According to Defence Blog, the arms exhibition in Pyongyang had a dual purpose: to demonstrate technological progress and to send a signal to other countries about the DPRK's ability to adapt to modern challenges in the defense sector, despite international sanctions.
By the way, recently, operators of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated four North Korean 170 mm Koksan self-propelled guns that were in service in Russia.