Austrian-looking sniper rifles surface in North Korea — possibly supplied by Russia which acquires them by skirting international sanctions
In early April, photographs emerged on social media showing North Korean military exercises. Among the new equipment displayed to the press was a sniper rifle handled by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Both military experts and Reddit users noted the striking resemblance between the rifle and...
theins.ru
In early April, photographs emerged on social media showing North Korean military exercises. Among the new equipment displayed to the press was a sniper rifle handled by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Both military experts and Reddit users noted the striking resemblance between the rifle and the Austrian-made Steyr Mannlicher SSG 08. Features such as a folding stock with an adjustable cheek rest, the shape of the receiver and magazine, and other distinctive details led observers to conclude that North Korea’s special forces may have received either genuine Austrian-made rifles — or an exact replica.
possible indication that these rifles are indeed Austrian and that Russia may have facilitated their transfer is the timing of the exercises — just two weeks after Russia’s former Defense Minister (and now its Security Council Secretary) Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea. The Russian defense-focused website TopWar directly stated that Austrian rifles had entered service with the Korean People's Army.
