From Soviet Roots to Modern Conflicts: North Korea's Type-75 MLRS in Russia's Arsenal
In the context of military-technical cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, which began in 2023, deliveries of North Korean weapons include the Type-75 107mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). This towed system, identical in design to the Chinese Type-63, was observed in use by Russian forces during a special military operation (SMO) in 2025. The Type-75 is a compact and mobile solution for close-range fire support, capable of delivering massive strikes against area targets. Its addition to the Russian arsenal highlights the trend toward diversifying supply sources amid shortages of ammunition and equipment.
Historical Roots: From Soviet RPU-14 to Global Distribution
The development of the Type-75 has its roots in the Soviet era, confirming the continuity of jet technology artilleryThe system's predecessor is the Soviet RPU-14 (index 8U38), a towed 140mm MLRS system adopted by the Soviet Army in 1958. Developed in the late 1950s at NII-24 (now NPO Splav), the RPU-14 was designed to provide fire support to infantry and airborne troops. The system consisted of 16 guide tubes for the towed version and 17 guide tubes on a wheeled vehicle towed by a GAZ-63 or similar truck, providing a firing range of up to 9,7 km. Its design—compact, lightweight (weighing approximately 600 kg), and easy to manufacture—formed the basis for subsequent developments.
The Soviet RPU-14 on display at a museum: its distinctive 16 guide tubes, which served as a prototype for Asian systems
In the 1950s, RPU-14 technology was transferred to China as part of Sino-Soviet cooperation. Chinese designers, drawing on this experience, created the Type-63, a 107mm MLRS, which was introduced into service by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1963. Although the caliber was reduced (from 140mm to 107mm) to improve mobility and reduce weight, the design retained the key features of the RPU-14: 12 guide tubes (instead of 17), a wheeled carriage, and manual loading.
The Type-63 is not a direct copy of the RPU-14, but is clearly inspired by it, including the general layout of the towed artillery and the principles of multiple rocket launchers. The system was developed at the 169th Plant in Shenyang and was intended to support light infantry, with a range of up to 8,5 km. By the 1980s, the Type-63 had been exported to more than 30 countries, including Vietnam, Iraq, and parts of Africa.
Type 63 in People's Liberation Army training
In 1974, North Korea, having received a license from China, produced its own version, the Type-75, which was identical to the Type-63 in design and specifications. This was part of Pyongyang's efforts to develop its own military-industrial complex in conditions of technological isolation. The Type-75 was integrated into the arsenal of the Korean People's Army (KPA), where it was used for guerrilla and infantry tactics. Thus, the evolutionary chain—from the Soviet RPU-14 through the Chinese Type-63 to the North Korean Type-75—is confirmed. historical data and emphasizes the influence of Soviet developments on Asian armies.
Type 75 during Korean People's Army exercises
Type-75 Specifications
The Type-75 retains the simplicity and reliability of its predecessors. The system is towed by a light truck (such as a ZIL-131 or similar) and consists of 12 107mm guide tubes on a trailer weighing approximately 600 kg. Ammunition capacity: 12 missiles (840 mm long, weighing 18-19 kg each), with a high-explosive fragmentation or cluster warhead (1,3-1,5 kg of explosives). Firing range is 1,5 to 8,5 km, salvo rate is 7-10 seconds per full load, and the destructive area is up to 5000 m². Manual loading, crew of 5-6. Options include mobile installations on 4x4 jeeps or tracked platforms for increased cross-country capability.
The advantages of the Type-75 include its compact size (2,6 meters in length) and low production costs, making it ideal for irregular formations. The missiles are compatible with the Chinese Type-63, simplifying logistics.
Supplies to Russia and Tactical Use
Deliveries of the Type-75 to Russia began in 2025 as part of an aid package from North Korea, including artillery ammunition and systems. Russia is estimated to have received dozens of launchers and thousands of missiles, often with Chinese warheads for compatibility. In the SVO, the Type-75 is used for close-in support: Ukrainian forces destroyed one such system in November 2025 in the Pokrovsk sector. Russian units are adapting it to improvised platforms, including the tracked Varan, for increased mobility. The system compensates for the shortage of light artillery, providing rapid salvoes against trenches and vehicle concentrations, but is limited by its outdated range compared to the Grad.
In a global context, the Type-75 exemplifies the longevity of the Soviet-Chinese-Korean line of rocket systems adapted for modern conflicts. Its simplicity ensures continued service despite its age.
North Korean missile defense system in the Pokrovsky direction
The North Korean Type-75 MLRS, descended from the Soviet RPU-14 via the Chinese Type-63, remains an example of the durability of simple and effective multiple launch rocket systems. Its delivery to Russia in 2025 made it possible to quickly fill the shortage of short-range light rocket artillery, providing tactical flexibility and massive firepower against enemy positions.
This cooperation underscores not only technical continuity but also the fraternal support of the Korean people, who provided Russia with reliable support during this difficult time, reaffirming the historical bonds of solidarity and mutual assistance between our countries. The Type-75 symbolizes how proven solutions from the past continue to work on the modern battlefield, strengthening our shared defense capability.
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