Kim Oversees New Tank Drill as Daughter Takes the Wheel
North Korea Conducts Military Drill Featuring New Battle Tanks
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently oversaw a joint offensive drill that showcased new battle tanks, with his daughter Ju-ae seen driving one of the vehicles. According to state media, Kim emphasized that ground troops will be equipped with these “superior” tanks extensively in the future.
The drill took place a day earlier at the Pyongyang Training Base No. 60 under the Capital City Defence Corps of the Korean People’s Army. The event involved various tests to assess the new main battle tank’s active protection system. During the exercise, the tank successfully intercepted all anti-tank missiles and drones attacking from different positions and directions, proving the efficiency of its advanced defense mechanisms.
Kim described the tank as “very superior” and “unequaled in the world in its striking power and mobility,” as well as in its self-defense capacity. He highlighted the improvements made during the development of the tank, particularly focusing on enhancing its survivability. Kim also pointed out the tank’s mobile self-defensive complex, which can detect threats from all directions and strike anti-tank guided missiles and drones with high precision.
“It is a great change that our armored forces that were ineffective during night operations have completely overcome their combat limitations,” the leader noted. “From now on, our ground forces will be equipped with these superior tanks extensively.”
Kim also stressed the importance of steadily improving the main battle tank’s performance to keep up with the evolving trends in modern warfare. He urged “rapid successes in completing war preparations” across all army units.
Photos and a video released by North Korea’s state media showed Ju-ae, believed to be groomed as her father’s successor, driving one of the tanks carrying her father and military personnel. This marked her latest appearance at a military event, following her attendance at almost all of Kim’s recent public inspections of military-related events, including a parade marking last month’s ruling party congress.
Objectives of the Drill
The Thursday drill aimed to “get familiar with the coordinated order and combat methods” in the tactical subunits’ offensive action. The goal was to enhance their attack capabilities in striking, raiding, and occupying an enemy’s anti-armor defense line, according to state media.
During the exercise, drones struck the enemy’s command post based on real-time reconnaissance data, while anti-tank missiles fired from an armored car subunit hit targets. Rear strike subunits then destroyed enemy drones and armed helicopters from ambush positions before occupying the enemy’s anti-armor defense line to enable tanks and infantrymen to launch attacks.
Context of the Drill
The drill was conducted on the last day of this year’s 11-day Freedom Shield, the annual springtime joint exercise between South Korea and the United States. North Korea has consistently criticized this exercise, referring to it as a rehearsal for war.
The battle tank demonstrated during the drill appears to be the Chonma-20 main battle tank, which North Korea first unveiled at a military parade in October of last year.
Experts suggest that the latest drill may have showcased what North Korea has learned from its participation in the Russia-Ukraine war, particularly the central role played by drones in ground battles. Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, noted this possibility.
