Type 67
| Type 67 | |
|---|---|
 The main Type 67 variants | |
| Type | main battle tank |
| Place of origin |  Daekan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1967-present |
| Used by | Daekan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | 5th of February Tractor Plant |
| Designed | 1965-1967 |
| Manufacturer | Several plants |
| Produced | 1966 |
| No. built | More than 2,000 |
| Specifications (Type 67A) | |
| Weight | 39 t (42 short tons) |
| Length | 9.34 m (30 ft 8 in) with barrel in forward position 6.63 m (21 ft 9 in) hull only |
| Width | 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in) |
| Height | 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) |
| Crew | 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader) |
| Armor | 242 mm turret front 102 mm at 60° hull front |
Main armament | 115 mm U-5TS (2A20) smoothbore gun (50 rounds) |
Secondary armament | 12.7mm Type 54 HMG on the cupola 7.62mm Type 70 GPMG (co-axial) |
| Engine | Taebaek DE51 670 hp |
| Suspension | torsion-bar |
| Ground clearance | 425 mm (16.7 in) |
Operational range | 700 km on road (with external fuel drums) |
| Speed | 55 km/h (road) |
The Type 67 (MoD designation: Development 565) is a Daekanese main battle tank first introduced in 1967. A development of the Vanquarian T-62, the base variant of the tank was nothing more than a T-62 with a local engine, with later variants diverting more and more from the original design, most notably with the addition of turret bustles. It gradually became the stadnard main battle tank in Daekanese People's Army service, supplamenting the Type 57, and wasn't fully replaced in that role until the introduction of the Type 87 in 1987. More than 2,500 were made and hundreds were exported, while a few hundred still remain in DPA service in reserve and trainning formations.
Development and design history
The purchase of a license to produce T-54 tanks from Vanquaria in 1957 (as the Type 57) was a singificant boost for the armoured corps of the Daekanese People's Army Ground Forces, that had until then mostly relied on World War 2 era tanks. The Type 57 was seen as adequate against the Esgonian M48A1 and later M48A3s, especially with further upgrades introduced in the Type 57A variant in 1964. However, when the DPA's Military Intelligence Directorate discovered plans for a new Esgonian tank with heavier armour and a larger gun - that would be introduced as the Cheiftain in 1966 - the DPA leadership was concerned that the Type 57A would prove inadequate against the new Esgonian vehicle. The possiblities of upgunning the Type 57 with the 115mm gun of the T-62 or even the Great Kingdom's L7 105mm gun were considered, but both suggestions were denied by the DPA, both for technical and political reasons. It was instead decided that Daekan would seek to purchase a license for the T-62, as they did with the T-54. The license was secured in late 1966, and production began in 1967 and the tank became known as the Type 67 in DPA service. The only difference with the original Vanquarian tank was the use of the Taebaek DE49 engine, which was as more reliable and had a higher horsepower output.
Service History
Export
Variants
Domestic variants
- Type 67: The baseline variant of the Type 67 was essentially a Vanquarian T-62 with the DE49, a more powerfull and reliable engine that was designed and produced by the Taebaek Tractor Plant.
- Type 67 m.1969: Type 67 with local sights that were considered of higher quality than the originals, as well as a Type 54 HMG for the commander.
- Type 67A: The first major upgrade of the Type 67A, introduced in 1973. Its most notable feature is the turret bustle, that allowed up to 10 more rounds to be stored and also gave some more space for the turret crew. Additionally it also received a laser rangefinder that greately improved accuracy, as well as the improved 670 hp DE51 engine.
- Type 67A m.1975: Type 67A with improved fording equipment and the Type 75 HMG.
- Type 67A m.1979: Type 67A m.1975 fited with a DE54 engine.
- Type 67AT: Experimental variant with a gas turbine engine.
- Type 67A m.1975: Type 67A with improved fording equipment and the Type 75 HMG.
- Type 67B: Extensive modernisation introduced in 1983. It introduced the "Mulgyeol" fire control system, which included new sights for the commander and gunner and a new laser rangefinder, as well as the TK-9 ballistic computer. An autoloader replaced the fourth crew member entirely, freeing up space for the new equipment. The gun was replaced by the PCh-80 115mm smoothbore of local design that was fitted with an improved stabiliser.
- Type 67B m. 1985: Type 67B fitted with rubber sideskirts, the improved DE51H engine and the PCh-80H which can fire Vanquarian 9K116-2 "Sheksna" ATGMs.
- Type 67B m. 1987: Type 67B m. 1985 equipped with BGM modules on the turret front with the handrails removed and the smoke grenade launchers moved back.
- Type 67B m. 1991: Type 67B m. 1985 fitted with PEG-5 heavy reactive armour on the turret instead of the BGM modules. Also featured an improved range finder and a SS87 gunners's sight, as well as bustle rack.
- Type 67B m. 1985: Type 67B fitted with rubber sideskirts, the improved DE51H engine and the PCh-80H which can fire Vanquarian 9K116-2 "Sheksna" ATGMs.
- Type 67C: Variant introduced in 1991 as a more advanced alternative to the Type 67B m. 1991. Fuatures PEG-5 ERA on both turret and hull front, with PEG-3 on the hull sides. Also included in the upgarde are a new 800 hp DE60 engine, the more advanced SS90 gunner's sight with thermal channel. The variant was not adopted by the DPA, but is offered as an upgrade package for foreign customers.
