The Juche-107 self-propelled artillery system, developed in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and referred to as M2018 by Western observers, is reported to be armed with a 155 mm caliber gun. This detail has appeared in coverage by a Russian publication.
The platform was first shown to the public during a September 2018 military parade that marked the 70th anniversary of North Korea’s founding. For many years, specific features of these vehicles remained undisclosed, prompting analysts to form judgments based largely on visual cues from limited footage and on-site imagery.
A recent video circulating online appears to confirm the designation M2018 and shows signage on the vehicles indicating their gun type and caliber. The footage indicates that the North Korean designers opted for 155 mm artillery pieces mounted on the self-propelled chassis. A comparable approach had already been seen in China with the PLZ-45 family, which also employs 155 mm rounds. The PLZ-45 and its variants have drawn procurement interest from several countries, including Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea, among others.
Analysts point out that the M2018 appears to be heavier than many other North Korean howitzers in service. There is speculation that the vehicles may be compatible with a range of shell sizes spanning from 122 mm to 152 mm, though official specifications remain scarce. Some assessments also mention the possibility that these systems are equipped with ballistic radar and can engage targets with actively guided or programmable ammunition. The estimated reach of the artillery has been suggested to exceed 40,000 meters, placing it among longer-range self-propelled gun concepts in regional inventories.
Earlier reports from North Korea have discussed tests related to underwater nuclear capabilities, underscoring the broader context in which developments of this kind are watched by defense analysts and international observers alike.