picture 172736

North Korean-made, and Iranian-operated, 170mmm self-propelled M1979 Koksan guns became notorious during Iranian offensives on Basra, in 1987 when they randomly shelled the city. Firing rocket-assisted projectiles, they could shell targets out to 60 kilometres away – which made them the world’s longest-range field artillery pieces in service. Operated by the IRGC only, they retained their original colour of olive green with a strong bluish touch – and even Red Stars made of iron – while wearing no other ID-insignia at all. (Artwork by Peter Penev)