Bulsae ATGM

The Bulsae ATGM is a family of anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems developed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea.

History

Bulsae-2

North Korea is said to have acquired a number of 9K111 Fagot systems in the late 20th century. These were subsequently reverse-engineered and given the designation Bulsae-2.^[1]

Bulsae-3

The Bulsae-3 was advertised as the AT-4MLB by North Korean proxy company GLOCOM,^{[failed verification]} and in their brochure it was stated that it is controlled by laser beam guidance method,^[2][3][4][5] The first international customers of the Bulsae-3 was reported in 2014 to be the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and the Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades.^[6]

The Chonma-216 variant of the Pokpung-ho main battle tank (MBT) has been seen fitted with Bulsae-3, which a source alleges to have been derived from the AT-14 Spriggan.^[7]

The 2020 Cheonma-2 MBT prototype has the Bulsae-3 as secondary armament. It is said to be reversed engineered Soviet/Russian 9K111 Fagot or 9M133 Kornet missiles.^[7][8] However, the diameter of the ATGM launchers appears to be 150 mm like the 9M133, rather than 120 mm of the 9K111 and may thus have a higher penetration.^[9]

Bulsae-4

Eight-tube launcher mounted on a M-2010 6×6 APC chassis.^[10] According to the South Korean National Intelligence Service, the Bulsae-4 was observed during the 2024–25 Kursk offensive, though it is unclear if they are used by Russian or North Korean troops.^[11] The system is analogous to Israel's Spike-ER, China's ATF-10 and Serbia's ALAS multi-purpose wire-guided missiles.^[12][13]

Bulsae-5

The Songun-915 variant of the Pokpung-ho series of tanks has been seen fitted with Bulsae-5, which a source alleges to have been derived from the 9M133 Kornet.^[14]