Daewoo K3

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Daewoo K3
Daewoo K3 LMG
Type	Light machine gun
Place of origin	South Korea
Service history
In service	1991-present
Used by	South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines
Production history
Manufacturer	Daewoo Precision Industries Ltd. Co.
Specifications
Weight	6.85 kg (15.1 lb)
Length	1,030 mm (40.6 in)
Barrel length	533 mm (21 in)

Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	725 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	M193: 960 m/s (3,150 ft/s) SS109: 915 m/s (3,002 ft/s)
Effective range	800 m
Maximum range	3,600 m
Feed system	250-round linked belt or 30-round STANAG magazine
Sights	Iron sights

South Korean soldier uses Daewoo K3.

The Daewoo K3 Light Machine Gun was the third indigenous firearm developed in South Korea, following the K1A and K2. The K3 is inspired by the FN Minimi and the United States-issued M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.

1 Description
2 Foreign use
3 References
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Description

The K3 is a light machine gun resembling the FN Minimi and uses a standard 5.56 mm NATO cartridge. Its greatest advantage is that it is lighter than the M60 and can interchange cartridges with both the K1A and K2. The feed can come from either a 30-round box magazine or a 250-round metal link belt. It can be used with a bipod for the Squad Automatic role, and fitted with a tripod for sustained fire support.

The rear sight is adjustable for elevation and windage, and the foresight can be adjusted for elevation for zeroing. The barrel has a built-in carry handle for ease of changing the barrel. The action is gas piston driven, with a rotating bolt.

[edit] Foreign use

A controversy broke out 2007 in the Philippines when the country's Armed Forces initially selected the FN Minimi rather than picking the K3 or the 5.56 mm Ultimax from Singapore. The AFP's Modernization Program was attacked for showing favoritism towards a Western firearms company over Asian arms manufacturers ^[1].

Ultimately, 2000 K3s were acquired by the Philippine Army for their SAW requirement. They, and 150 newly delivered Kia KM450 trucks, were first shown in public in February 18, 2008.