Kim says new main battle tank capable of “neutralizing almost all” existing anti‑tank weapons
Kim Jong‑un observes a recent new main battle tank test. (Image: KCNA)
Supreme Leader Kim Jong‑un observed a performance evaluation test of a new man battle tank, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported March 29.
The test was conducted in an undisclosed location and on an undisclosed date by the Armored Weapons Research Institute, a facility under the Academy of Defense Sciences responsible for developing armored combat vehicles, anti-tank systems, and related technology.
The evaluation focused on verifying the practical applicability of the anti-tank technology that North Korea has recently been strengthening, KCNA said.
“This test served as an important opportunity to practically confirm how superior our new‑style tank is as a combat asset,” Kim was quoted as saying.
Regarding the active protection system, he declared that it “has fully acquired the capability of neutralizing almost all existing anti‑tank attack weapons.”
The test simulated anti‑tank attacks from multiple directions. KCNA claimed that the system functioned normally with a 100% success rate against all attacks.
Kim asserted that this “clearly shows that our new main battle tank has already reached a world‑class level.”
“There is no tank at present that possesses combat technology comparable to this one,” he claimed.
Rather than a simple evaluation of a weapons test, these remarks are interpreted as an attempt to showcase the country’s technological responsiveness to the changing nature of modern warfare.
As seen in the Russia‑Ukraine war, the combination of drones and precision anti‑tank weapons has significantly increased the vulnerability of traditional armored forces.
Weapons such as the U.S. FGM‑148 Javelin and the NLAW have reshaped the battlefield with their capability of striking tanks with long‑range precision.
Against this backdrop, active protection systems have emerged as a key technology determining tank survivability.
North Korea’s latest test appears to reflect these modern battlefield experiences.
Some experts argue that North Korea has indirectly accumulated wartime experience during the Ukraine conflict. Its military is believed to have gained significant experience in drone operations, anti‑tank countermeasures, and use of real battlefield data. Some analysts also note similarities between elements of North Korea’s active protection system and existing Russian systems.
“The new main battle tank test is seen as more than a simple unveiling of a weapons achievement,” one expert said. “It suggests that North Korea is strengthening defensive systems in line with the technological demands of modern warfare.”
Kim’s emphasis on the tank’s “ability to neutralize all anti‑tank weapons” and its “world‑class level” signals North Korea’s intention to assert leadership in the military technology competition.
At the same time, it reflects the growing importance of survivability technologies in an era of increasingly precise weapons and rapidly evolving battlefield conditions.
Taesung offers informed perspectives on North Korean society, grounded in years of experience within a key state-run institution. After defecting to South Korea in 2024, he now focuses on providing analysis of the country.
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