The North Korean main tracked APC

As important it was for the North Koreans as the Type 63 was for the PLA, the VTT 323 (soon called Sinhung M1973 by US intelligence) was based precisely on this vehicle, as deduced from the observations, parades and data (most sources are talking of a licensed copy although there is no formal proof). It was built not long after the Type 63 and mass-produced to more than 3200 vehicles to this day, declined also into multiple variants. This is nowadays North Korea's main frontline APC.


VTT-323, notice the quad SA-6/SA-7 over the turret's back

Design

Obviously, the VTT-323 shared many characteristics with the Type 63, up to many details. The slab-sided, flat roof hull looks at least externally similar, just as its compact dimensions. Made of welded steel RHA it is about 18 feets long (5.48m), for 2.6 high and 2.8 widths. Nevertheless, the same crew capacity is alleged, 4 crew and 10 infantry. The crew comprised the driver, seated on the front-left and co-driver to the right (engine in the right section behind), with three periscopic sights and hatch, while the commander is seated behind the driver, with his own cupola hatch and periscopes. The rear section is devoted to the armament and troops. In addition the sides and rear doors pistol ports, there are rear roof hatches to fire on the move. For active protection the vehicle does not show any smoke dischargers, it is believed also that it is not equipped with a collective NBC system.


Another photo of VTT-323s in parade

On the mobility side, the VTT 323 is given the same drivetrain with five rubber-clad roadwheels per side, front sprockets and rear idlers. There are no return rollers and side skirts protect the roadwheels. Presumably, like for the Type 63 suspensions are torsion bar units and shocks absorbers on the front and rear units. The engine is likely to be a copy of the 320 hp @2500 rpm, air-cooled Deutz BF8L413F diesel 8-cylinder. Given the 10 to 15.3 tonnes to carry, the power-to-weight ratio is about 47 hp/tonne.


Summary recognition drawing of the model (Wikipedia)

Top speed is about 40 mph (65 kph) on flat, autonomy estimated around 300 miles (500 km). The VTT-323 is fully amphibious, propelled by its tracks when swimming. A short trim vane is clearly shown on all vehicles. The vehicle is assumed to negotiate a 60% slope, 40% side slope, 0.6 m vertical step and 2m trench.

On the armament side, the most common one seems to be located on the basic APC version in a well-sloped turret with a 14.5 KPVT-type heavy machine gun, which has a 2 000 m against ground targets and 1 400 m against air targets. The turret is rounded with a flat sloped face, and gun breech with a 90° mount allowing fire against flying targets. This one is usually coaxial with a 7.5 mm KPT-type light machine gun, or a twin 14.5 mm. In addition, parades show a quad launch rail for an AT-3 Sagger anti-tank guided missiles shown mounted on the turret's top, a quite potent combination when added to the infantry's main MANPADS and RPGs as it has a 3000m range.


M1992 120mm self-propelled howitzer, based on the same chassis.

Known Variants

Nicknamed "VET" these vehicles were declined like the Type 63 in a large variety of derivated vehicles, one of which is an armoured ambulance, a command vehicle, at least two antitank version armed with either the AT-3 "Sagger", SA-7 "Grail", or SA-16 "Grouse", and self-propelled howitzer, or mortar.


122mm Self Propelled Gun, based on the VTT-323 chassis.

-107 mm MLRS (based on the VTT-323 chassis)
-82mm company self-propelled mortar (with large hatches on the roof)
-AT-3 "Sagger" main antitank variant
-SA-7 "Grail"/SA-16 "Grouse" light antitank variant (portable weapons)
-122-mm self-propelled howitzer
-Quad 14.5 mm SPAAG
-M1985 amphibious light tank
-M2010 lengthened version of the VTT-323





Susong Po (AT-3 Sagger) main antitank variant and 107mm MLRS


The PT-85 light tank apparently uses the lengthened hull of the VTT-323 APC.

Links & resources

On militaryfactory
On FAS.org
On tanknutdave
On militaryedge
On military today
On namu.org
General Tactics on FAS.org

VTT-323 specs (estimates)
Dimensions	5.48 x 2.98 x 2.58m
Total weight, battle ready	15.2 tons
Crew	4 (driver, Cdr, gunner, loader)
Propulsion	V8 ac diesel 320 hp
Suspension	Torsion bars
Speed (road)	Est. 65 km/h
Range	Est. 500 km
Armament	14.5mm KPVT+ 7.62mm KPT coax or twin 14.5mm
Armor	About 13mm frontal arc
Total production	3200+

VTT-323 armored personnel carrier in its basic configuration. Notice the MANPADS


VTT-323 with SA-7 or SA-16 surface-to-air missiles on the turret


VTT-323 Susong_Po (AT-3 "Sagger") main antitank variant


VTCC Command variant


VTT-323/107mm MRLS. Each Type 75 rocket receive HE, HE-I and HE-frag warheads, has a 385 m/s (1,260 ft/s) and max range of 8.05 km (5 miles)

Gallery

VTTC (Command variant) showing its crew.

M1973 Shinhung

M1973 Shinhung in exercises, KCNA footage extract

VTT-323 in exercises KCTV footage extract

VTT-323 in parade

107mm MLRS

120mm? MLRS

M2010 APC, the modern North Korean model, lengthened version of the M1973 APC