November 30, 2023
Is North Korean ammunition reliable? Reports are coming in that they are not. Certainly, poor manufacturing methods, quality control, handling, and subpar storage conditions could play important roles in this. Another important factor are the conditions of russian artillery systems. Having shot countless rounds makes any gun barrel wear out. Mixing such a combination – low quality ammunition with a worn-out barrel – certainly makes for interesting results.
Voice of America wrote in September 8:
“Some North Korean artillery appears to be unreliable and ineffective, though. As an example, many defense experts cite North Korea’s 2010 shelling of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island during a flareup in tensions.
“According to South Korean military estimates, the North fired about 170 shells using a 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, or MRL. Fewer than half of them hit the island; of those, about 25% failed to detonate.”
And New Voice of Ukraine wrote in November 5:
“Dykyi suggested that the Pyongyang instructors may have come along with the shells because ‘Russian artillerymen may simply be afraid to use these ‘masterpieces of the neighboring defense industry because it is not known how many of them exploded right in the guns.’”
The Telegram channel of United24Media wrote, “A North Korean projectile burst in the barrel and demetallized a 152-mm self-propelled gun Akatsiya of the Russian Federation.”
When news broke out that North Korea was delivering a million artillery shells to Russia, my first thought was how good the quality would be of those shells. We have the first statements relating to this questions and the answer is that they are of poor quality. In some cases the… pic.twitter.com/gFX9YrAjhH
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) November 18, 2023
I was also very skeptical of the quality of North Korean ammunition. Although some would claim that a lot of bad stuff is better than nothing, one must wonder… One thing is for sure; being a russian artillery man, having to use North Korean ammunition, doesn’t give him much confidence. Each time a piece fires, the crew is probably already in cover, if it’s not unfortunate to be inside a self-propelled howitzer. This makes firing such ammunition just like russian roulette. Such conditions don’t promote effective fighting and certainly doesn’t encourage having good morale.
“This makes firing such ammunition just like russian roulette.”
That suits Putin just fine.
One thing I will say is that even American ammo sometimes malfunctions. There have been both Army and Marine artillery men killed with a muzzle blast or detonation inside the barrel. It’s an occupational hazard. With NorK ammo, it’s a very large hazard.
Of course, such things can happen. It’s all a matter of statistics. Using American ammo has a small, acceptable risk. Using NK ammo affords a large measure of suicidal tendency.
Very nice article Sir Facts
This is what you call russian roulette with missiles. 😂
Let’s hope it catches on.
Thanks, Red.