Serge CDS, KN-01

North Korean Coastal Defense System - c50 built

In a general way, the North Korean Navy is much smaller than the South Korean's and plays a type of "jeine ecole" asymetric threat in these coastal waters, notably with fast attack boats ad midget submarines. But there is also a mobile, coastal defense component, which relies on surface-to-ship missiles, of various types and carried by a variety of trucks and armored vehicles which nature is still undetermined. The one covered here is the "Serge DCS", carrying the NK-01 antiship missile.

A mysterious self propelled launcher

On the North Korean KN-01 (HY-2)

It is an anti-ship missile made in North Korea, referring to the Silkworm anti-ship missile, a Chinese version of the Soviet era early P-15 Termit (SSN-2 Styx). The surface-to-ship type is referred to as KN-01 in Korea, and the air-to-ship type is referred to as KN-05. The range is estimated to be more than 100km, longer than the Silkworm (c85km). Experts reports that instead of a rocket engine it is equipped with a turbojet such as the Kh-35 and thus work as a cruise missile with increased range. It is 5.8m long for a diameter of 76cm and a weight of 2.3t with a 500kg warhead.

Ten test launches were performed from February 2003 until June 2007. The North Korean Army had it renamed as the 'Kumsong-1' but due to the nature of local missile designation, it is probably "Geumsong-1". In 2015 this model was improved with three consecutive launches made in 2016. It is clearly different from the Chinese Silkworm in appearance and as most experts agree, is a different missile now known as the KN-01. Other than that little is known about the exact composition and weight of the warhead. If similar to the Silkworm, it is likely a

On the launcher vehicle (and others)

There are consireable confusions and uncertainties about the missile carrier, dubbed as the CDS HY-2 launcher vehicle or "Serge", or "AG-1" and "SN-01", with its missile capable of a 360km range. What can be said about the carrier ? The chassis had strong similarities with the M1989/M1992 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun, as a shorter variant of the GMZ-575 chassis also used for the North Korean built PT-76, originally used by the ZSU-23-4 and also common to the older M1985 SPAAG. Since it cannot be acertain, it is well possible the Serge is powered by a V-6P1 280 hp diesel engine or equivalent of similar capacities, for a top speed of c50 km/h.

Like the M1985 chassis, it has six specific star roadwheels, rubberized, but heavenly spaced, not with the forward axle slightly more forward. The other big difference is the relocation of the engine, front the back to the front to balance the hull, like an SPG. The missile erector launcher is located at the back. So the vehicle had no return rollers but front sprockets and transmission, rear idlers. The hull however is very different and only shared its wheeltrain with the above. It has flat sides and a sloped nose which the thickest protection. The driver is located to the rear of the transmission on the right, with his own hatch and three sided sights. Caution from him is necessary when in operation as the ramp's fire deflector gets in the way when traverse.

The rear section is occupied by the launcher and its ramp. It is not certain, but probably that the base could be traversed, as it presents a cylindrical shape. The "turret" body is split in three, with the ramp located in the middle, raised by hydraulic arms on both sides and the mechanism below. On either side are located enclosed "panniers" with hatches for the commander and gunner, with two extra operators apparently from the Navy as shows by their uniform in parade, located into the hull, in front of the "turret" with simple sliding hatches. The vehicle is presumed NBC but lacks smoke projectors and a close defense weapon.

The ramp, which carries the large KN-01 anti-ship cruise missile had some elevation as shown in parade, up to 30% accordijg to export looking at the hydraulic arms. There is also a travel lock for the forwar part of the ramp, which ends with a large blast deflector to protect the vehicle. Given the presence of a crew of 6 denotes a probably crude, manual and complex operation, with Navy officers for liaison aznd missile operation in coordination with the NKN as they did not share the tankist helmet of the rest of the crew (4).

Serge CDS specs (estimates)
Dimensions	7x 3.5x 2.2m
Total weight, battle ready	44-45 tons
Crew	6 (driver, Cdr, 3 operators)
Propulsion	V6 P1 diesel 280 hp
Suspension	Torsion bars
Speed (road)	Est. 50 km/h
Range	Est. 370 to 500 km
Armament	KN-01 missile.
Armor	As GMZ-575, max 14.5 mm forward, 8mm RHA
Total production	c50 (estimation)

Deployment and Export

The North Korean army operates at least 12 vehicles as shown in parade (3 rows of 3), likely way more. They coulkd be either painted green or camouflage with the usual light brown pattern. There is another variant sharing the chassis with the VTT-323 as well (at least ten made). Oryx Spioenkop registers he Kumsong-3 "Stormpetrel" carrying both the KN-01 and KN-05, and the Kumsong-3 or Stormpetrel, KN-19 in two launcher configurations: The Serge/AG-1/SN-01 and the Scourge/KN-07 still to be spotted.

The vehicle was also displayed in a Teheran yearly parade (photo above), and so likely purchased from North Korea in unknown quantities. Indeed Iran lists in its Coastal Defence Missile (CDS) Systems the 'Ra'ad (or Serge) with a range of 360km.