Model 1981 "Shin'heung"

Model 1981 "Shin'heung"
Also known as Type 82
Western name: PT-85
Later model of M1981 Shin'heung during a parade. Note the IR projector on the turret
TypeAmphibious light tank
Place of origin North Korea
Specifications
Mass20.0 t
Length9.4 m (gun forward)
Width3.1 m
Height2.8 m
Crew4

Armor30mm hull
Main
armament
1 x 85 mm tank gun
1 x 9M14 Malyutka launcher ATGM
Secondary
armament
1 x 14.5 mm anti-air machine gun
1 x 7.62 mm machine gun
Enginediesel
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
500 km
Maximum speed 60 km/h on paved road
10 km/h in water

The Model 1981 "Shin'heung"[1] (Rise), in western countries known as the PT-85, is a North Korean amphibious light tank. It is built for the needs of their army, with around 500 examples operated.[2] The Model 1981 "Shin'heung is based on the lengthened VTT-323 APC chassis, and although the turret appears similar to PT-76, the PT-85 has a higher horseshoe-shaped turret, with an 85 mm gun and hatches similar to those of a T-54.[2] The US Department of Defence calls it the M-1985.[3]

  1. ^ "M1985 Amphibious Light Tank". www.military-today.com.
  2. ^ a b "PT-85 North Korean amphibious tank". www.massimotessitori.altervista.org. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
  3. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (2020). The Armed Forces of North Korea. Helion & Company. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-910777-14-5.