North Korean Bulsae-4 Anti Tank Missile System Takes Out Ukraine’s Mobile Artillery in Kursk

<p >Footage released on January 6 has provided further insight into the use of the North Korean Bulsae-4 anti tank missile system in the Russian-Ukrainian War, with one of the systems filmed firing on and destroying a Ukrainian Army 2S1 Gvozdika mobile artillery system. The Bulsae-4 was <a href=" target="_blank">first observed</a> being operated in the theatre in August 2024, and represents the first non-line of sight anti-tank missile class deployed in Russia, with the exception of American Javelin missile systems captured by Russian forces from Ukraine. The Bulsae-4 has similar characteristics to the Javelin, but over twice the range at an estimated 10 kilometres, and has previously been <a href=" >combat tested </a>targeting Ukrainian mobile artillery systems far behind the frontlines. Such missiles can engage targets using targeting data provided by drones and other supporting assets, and strike enemy armour from their top rather than the sides as top armour is usually thinner. The Bulsae-4 represents one of multiple new capabilities which North Korea has been able to provide Russian forces, alongside much <a href=" target="_blank">longer ranged tactical ballistic missiles</a>, rocket artillery systems, and <a href=" target="_blank">howitzers</a> than those produced in Russia itself. Alongside the provision of weapons systems that provide new capabilities, North Korea had by mid-2024 also supplied <a href=" >over 6 million </a>152mm and 122mm artillery rounds, allowing the Russian Army to sustain bombardment in the theatre and make up for shortfalls in domestic production. </p><p ><img src=" title="North Korean Vehicles with Octuple Bulsae-4 Launchers"></p><p >The latest engagement using the Bulsae-4 system occurred near the village of Malaya Loknya in the Russian Kursk region, where Western and Ukrainian sources have widely reported North Korea has made significant ground force deployments to support the Russian war effort. There remains a significant possibility that North Korean personnel could be operating the system to seek and destroy Ukrainian armour, with the obtaining of such experience being a leading benefit for Pyongyang of deploying its forces in the theatre. The system is considered to be rivalled only by the Chinese HJ-10 in its performance, thus representing a game changer for Russian anti tank capabilities, although as a relatively new addition to the North Korean inventory it remains uncertain in what numbers they may be available. The sheer scale of North Korean arms transfers to Russia is expected to provide a major boon to the East Asian state’s economy, and potentially provide funding for further modernisation of its defence sector and the accelerated development of new generations of weapons systems. Russia is expected to partly offset the costs of arms acquisitions with technology transfers to support its neighbour’s space and submarine programs, as well as with the <a href=" target="_blank">delivery of fighter aircraft</a>.</p>