Is the new North Korean M2020 tank a “fake”?

North Korea has carried out numerous demonstrations of force in recent years, whether through tests of new ballistic and cruise missiles, but also with impressive military parades to celebrate the regime or the armed forces. It was during one of these parades that the new M2020 battle tank was first unveiled in 2021.

Presented by Pyongyang as a new generation tank intended to be halfway between the American M1A2 Abrams and the Russian T-14 Armata, this new tank did indeed sport some of the visible external characteristics of these modern tanks, in particular flat-faced armor suggesting a composite armor, and panels suggesting the presence of an active protection system.

This tank was once again presented during the February 8 parade in Pyongyang, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the creation of the People's Army of North Korea.

Unlike in previous years, relatively accurate photos were released by the North Korean news agency, which allowed open source intelligence specialists to carefully observe the new tank, and Pyongyang's words about it.

Unfortunately for the North Korean authorities, according to these specialists, the M2020 would not be a new tank at all, not even a real battle tank. In truth, it could even be nothing more than a Fake intended to impress North Korean opinion, and with it foreign observers.

First, the study of the running gear of the M2020 and certain exterior aspects shows that the tank would be based on the Soviet T-72, a tank which was acquired in the 80s and 90s from Moscow, but which was not is not produced in North Korea, with or without a license, which suggests that these are modified tanks, and not equipment produced by North Korean industry.

But the analysts' findings don't stop there. Indeed, the new shots have shown that the new flat-faced armor suggesting composite armor would actually be additions to the traditional steel armor of the T-72.

These additions are so dubious that the specialists believe that it could be not an additional armor, but a simple plastic or aluminum formwork to give the tank a new appearance, without bringing any added value. protection.

Other observations accredit the reservations of the specialists. Thus, the main access hatch to the tank's turret seems not to be mobile, which would reinforce the hypothesis of a parade tank only intended to give the trick in terms of communication, and not to fight.

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