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VTT-323 (M1973 Sinhung)

1973 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER COLD WAR MODERN

History

When the North Korean military needed an armored personnel carrier, they turned to what they do best getting a license to produce an existing (and proven) system from China, one of their few global allies. The VTT-323 (M1973 "Sinhung") was born as a locally produced copy of the NORINCO YW 531C series armored personnel carrier. As such, the VTT-323 has much in common with the original Chinese product, further increasing the North Korean Army's mobility and range.

The VTT-323 has become an armored personnel carrier for the North Korean army and will no doubt see action in an invasion scenario involving South Korea. The VTT-323 is believed to have been in service with the Korean People's Army (NKPA) sometime in 1973.

The design of VTT-323 naturally follows the original Chinese version. The welded steel hull is square in appearance with panel edges, flat top, pointed bow and square stern section. The turret containing the base armament is located aft of the center of the vehicle along the top of the hull and has nicely sloping sides. The VTT-323 has two separate track systems on each side of the fuselage, each consisting of four rubber tire wheels. The drive sprockets are located at the front on both sides of the fuselage, while the chain idlers are located at the rear.

Interestingly, there are no track idlers in the design. Lightly armored "baffles" protect only the upper areas of the wheels and track system. The rear of the fuselage has a rectangular entry/exit hatch opening to the right. The engine compartment is mounted on the right side of the front center of the fuselage, the driver is located in the front left, and another location hatch is located on the right side of the driver. Another hatch is behind the driver, most likely the commander's seat.

There are also hatches at the rear of the roof, behind the turret system. The front hull is protected by well sloping glacis panels. Power is provided by a single air-cooled turbocharged V-8 diesel engine that delivers 320 hp at 2,500 rpm. The maximum road speed is 65 km/h and the maximum range is 500 km.

The combat weight is about 12,600 kg.

The VTT-323 is operated by a standard crew of four, including the driver, commander, gunner and loader. In addition to contingents, the VTT-323 can transport up to 10 combat-ready troops to hotspots in relative safety and comfort. The base armament is concentrated in a powered turret with a 360-degree arc and suitable height to attack higher-positioned targets such as low-altitude aircraft.

The main weapon system is a heavy 14.5mm anti-aircraft machine gun and a 7.62mm universal infantry machine gun mount - both located in the gunner-controlled turret. Additionally, the weapon can consist of a pair of two heavy 14.5mm machine gun systems for best results.

It is known that some VTT-323 systems were fitted with Soviet AT-3 "Sagger" anti-tank missile launchers (known as "Susong-Po" in North Korea) to defend against enemy armor.

Like the original Chinese APC, the VTT-323 is fully amphibious, but requires some initial preparation by the crew before completing the process. A trim piece was lifted and the bilge pump was turned on.

The drive is then achieved simply by the rotational movement of the vehicle's own chain in the water.

The VTT-323 chassis is adaptable enough to mount a variety of fire support weapons, including an 82mm mortar and a 107mm Multiple Rocket System (MLRS) - the latter mounted on the rear of the turret assembly itself. Additionally, some base VTT-323s are known to be fitted with Soviet-style short-range, low-altitude surface-to-air missile systems for immediate self-defense in the airspace. If China's YW 531C is any indication of adaptability, the VTT-323 chassis could be further developed into specialized battlefield support systems such as battlefield ambulances, command post vehicles and self-propelled artillery. It is not impossible that VTT-323 is now the main APC of the NKPA.

North Korea's PT-85 light amphibious tank has an extended chassis based on the VTT-323 infantry fighting vehicle.

The VTT-323 series may also be referred to as "VET".