List of equipment of the Republic of Korea Army

The defense industry of South Korea, initially small in size and strategic scope at early point of its development, has steadily expanded its areas of competence over the years to become one of the largest and most self-sufficient defense industries in the modern world. Until the mid-1960's, Korea depended completely upon military aid and equipment from the United States for arming its military. By 1990, Korea began producing most of its military equipment such as weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and vehicles through indigenous industrial endeavor, with self-sufficiency reaching 70% of all defense purchases.[1] In 2006, top ten South Korean defence contractors’ sales reached $4.9 billion, representing 77.1 percent of all defence purchases in South Korea in the year.[2] Domestic defense production eventually increased to $6.6 billion in 2008 when the self-sufficiency of the domestic defense industry exceeded 80%, with a goal to increase total domestic defense production to $10 billion in 2020 by engaging in more export-oriented activities, $6 billion of which will be maintained for the domestic market.[3]

For complete ground weapon systems, Hyundai Rotem builds tanks such as K1 and K2 tanks, Samsung Techwin self-propelled howitzers such as K9, and Doosan DST armored vehicles such as K200 and K21. Kia Motors has traditionally specialized in the production of wheeled military vehicles. It also produced towed artillery systems as well as multiple-launch rocket systems. Hanwha and Poongsan are other conglomerates that have deep connections to the defense industry by being major suppliers of ammunition and explosives. LIG Nex1 and Samsung Thales, the two largest defense companies in South Korea, are the main developers and producers of precision electronic systems. Their main products include core components for missiles and torpedoes, such as seekers and other guidance systems, and surveillance and tracking radars, optics, avionics, battle management systems, electronic support and warfare systems, frequency-hopping radios, and tactical communication systems. Korea Aerospace Industries and Korean Air fabricate components and spare parts for the aircraft of the army, and also build complete aircraft such as UH-60P and KAI Surion helicopters and UAVs.

Contents

Small arms

Domestic Production

Arms Origin Type Manufacturer Quantity Caliber Notes
K1A  Republic of Korea Carbine S&T Daewoo 148,333(As of 2005)(2011)[4] 5.56x45mm NATO Standard issue carbine
K2  Republic of Korea Assault Rifle S&T Daewoo 707,568(As of 2005)[4] 5.56x45mm NATO Standard issue assault rifle
M16A1  United States/ Republic of Korea Assault Rifle made under license by S&T Daewoo('74～'84) 1,014,012(As of 2005) [4] 5.56x45mm NATO Used by reserve forces.
K201  Republic of Korea Grenade Launcher S&T Daewoo  ? 40x46mm
K3  Republic of Korea Light Machine Gun S&T Daewoo ? 5.56x45mm NATO
K4  Republic of Korea Automatic Grenade Launcher S&T Daewoo ? 40x53mm
K5  Republic of Korea Pistol S&T Daewoo ? 9x19mm NATO Standard issue pistol
M60D  United States/ Republic of Korea Machine Gun S&T Daewoo  ? 7.62x51mm NATO produce under license
K6/Browning M2  United States/ Republic of Korea Heavy Machine Gun S&T Daewoo ? 12.7 × 99 mm Browning M2HB with additional modification; licensed by Daewoo Precision Industries
K7  Republic of Korea Silenced Submachine Gun S&T Daewoo  ? 9x19mm NATO
K11  Republic of Korea advanced assault rifle and grenade launcher S&T Daewoo  ? 5.56x45mm NATO
20mm		 2 for each squad
K12  Republic of Korea Machine Gun S&T Daewoo 7.62x51mm NATO planned to replace the M60D
XK13  Republic of Korea advanced Automatic Grenade Launcher S&T Daewoo 25mm under development
XK14  Republic of Korea Sniper rifle S&T Daewoo under development ]]

Overseas Products

Arms Origin Type Caliber Notes
CornerShot  Israel used by special forces
USP9 Tactical  Germany Pistol 9x19mm NATO used by special forces
Jericho 941F  Israel Pistol 9x19mm NATO used by special forces
MP5 series  Germany Submachine Gun 9x19mm NATO used by special forces
M1 carbine  United States Carbine .30 Carbine used by reserve force
M203  United States Grenade Launcher 40x46mm being replaced by K201
SSG 3000  Germany
 Switzerland		 Sniper Rifle 7.62x51mm NATO
MSG-90  Germany Sniper Rifle 7.62x51mm NATO
SSG 69  Austria Sniper Rifle 7.62x51mm NATO used by special forces
AW  United Kingdom Sniper Rifle 7.62x51mm NATO used by special forces
AWSM  United Kingdom Sniper Rifle .338 Lapua Magnum used by special forces

The list includes equipment used by both the ROK Army and ROK Marine Corps and they fight to death.

Tanks

The ROK Army operates 2,300 tanks as of 2008.

Vehicle Origin Type In service Manufacturer/Produced Notes
K1  Republic of Korea Main Battle Tank 1,027 Hyundai Rotem/(1985-1998)
K1A1  Republic of Korea Main Battle Tank 484 Hyundai Rotem/(1999-2010)
K2 Black Panther  Republic of Korea Main Battle Tank At least 3 Hyundai Rotem/(2011~ ) 397 planned to replace the M48A3K
M48A3/A3K  United States Main Battle Tank Approximately 380 Chrysler, Ford Motor Company/(1952~59) M48A3K: This variant uses a diesel engine instead of the original gasoline type. Other changes include installation of a T-shaped muzzle brake on the gun, three additional support wheels on the tracks, commander's periscope on the turret and smoke grenade dischargers. The fire control system has also been replaced with a native South Korean version. Slowly being retired.
M48A5/A5K  United States Main Battle Tank Approximately 500 Chrysler, Ford Motor Company/(1952~59) M48A5K: Replacing the main gun with the KM68 105 mm gun. Additional side skirts were provided, and the fire control system was upgraded to the Laser Tank Fire Control System (LTFCS). Will be replaced by K1 & K2
T-80U  Russia Main Battle Tank 33 Omsktransmash/(1995~1996?) 33 T-80Us were given from between 1996 and 1997 to pay off debt.
T-80UK  Russia Main Battle Tank 2 Omsktransmash Two T-80UKs were given from Russia in 2005 to pay off debt.

Former equipment

Tank Introduction Origin Type Versions Notes
M10 tank destroyer 1950  United States Tank destroyer ROK received a total of 70 M10
M4 Sherman 1950  United States Medium tank ROK received a total of 100 M4
M36 tank destroyer 1954  United States Tank destroyer ROK received a total of 70 M36
M47 Patton 1959  United States Medium tank ROK received a total of 550 M47

Armored fighting vehicles

The ROK Army operates 2,400 armored vehicles as of 2008.

Tracked

Vehicle Origin Type In service Manufacturer/Produced Notes
K200/A1  Republic of Korea Infantry Fighting Vehicle Approximately 1,700 Doosan/(1985 - Present) Excludes non-IFV variant K200 platforms; 111 were sold to Malaysia
K21  Republic of Korea Infantry Fighting Vehicle 60~(As of 2010) [5] Doosan/(2009-present) 900 K21 under mass production stage
KAAV7A1  United States/ Republic of Korea Amphibious Assault Vehicle 190 Samsung Techwin/(1997~2010) Built under license by Samsung Techwin[6]
KM900 (Fiat 6614)  Italy/ Republic of Korea Armored Personnel Carrier Approximately 400 Kia Motors/(1977~1985) made under license Kept in reserve/storage.
BMP-3  Russia Infantry Fighting Vehicle 70 Kurganmashzavod Given from Russia in 1996 to pay off debt.
M113  United States Armored Personnel Carrier Approximately 400 FMC Corporation Kept in reserve/storage.

Wheeled

Vehicle Origin Primary armament Type Weight Engine Maximum road speed/Amphibious speed on water Range Capacity Transportability by C-130 Hercules Notes
Samsung Techwin MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle)  Republic of Korea 1 x 7.62-mm, 1 x 40-mm grenade[7] 6x6, however it can be switched to 8x8, 6x4 and 6x2[7] 16t[7] Cummins ISL 400 diesel(400 hp)[7] 100 kph/10 kph[7] 700 km[7] 2 crew + 10 passengers [7] O [7]
Doosan Black Fox  Republic of Korea 12.7-mm machine gun or 40-mm automatic grenade launcher[8] 6x6 and 8x8[8] 16t[8] Doosan DV15TIS 380 hp[8] 100 kph/Baseline vehicle is not amphibious[8] 640 km[8] 3 crew + 9 passengers [8] O[8]
Hyundai Rotem KW1 Scorpion  Republic of Korea 12.7-mm machine gun or 40-mm automatic grenade launcher[9] 6x6 and 8x8[9] 16t[9] Hyundai H-Engine 380 hp[9] 100 kph/11 kph[9] 800 km[9] 2 crew + 10 passengers [9] O[9] Later it was proposed with a more powerful Hyundai unit, developing 420 hp. This engine is also used on the 8x8 variant.[9]

Competitive Bids

The ROK military has a requirement for six and eight-wheeled armored vehicles. Doosan, Hyundai Rotem and Samsung Techwin are competing for the $1 billion contract, expected to total 1,000 vehicles. The Samsung TechWin MPV, Doosan DST Black Fox and Hyundai Rotem KW Scorpion multi-purpose wheeled armored vehicles have been designed to meet the requirements of the Republic of Korea Army and South Korean security forces. An Army decision on its new rapid deployment armored vehicle is expected before 2012.[10]

Utility Vehicle

The RoK Army operates 9,096 civil vehicles ranging from sedans to buses, forklifts, excavator and graders [11]

Vehicle Origin Type Payload(off-road) Quantity Manufacturer Variant Notes
K131(KM420)  Republic of Korea 4x4 utility vehicle 1/4ton 7,866[11] Kia Motors
K311(KM450)  Republic of Korea 4x4 utility vehicle 1 1/4ton 13,170[11] Kia Motors
K511(KM250)  Republic of Korea 6x6 cargo truck 2 1/2ton 18,972[11] Kia Motors
K711(KM500)  Republic of Korea 6x6 cargo truck 5ton 10,563[11] Kia Motors
K912(KM1001)  Republic of Korea 8x8 Wrecker 10ton ? Kia Motors KM1001 Wrecker for wrecking of large & modernized equipment exceeding operating capacity of the KM502(K711 variant) Wrecker
k915(KM1002)  Republic of Korea 8x8 Tractor 60ton~100ton ? Kia Motors KM1002 Tractor for transportation of large-heavy equipment such as tank, armored vehicle, large construction equipment has been developed respectively

Artillery

The ROK Army operates 5,400 artillery pieces and MRLs as of 2008. 105mm Towed Howitzer ; 2000 + 1000 kept in reserve/storage. 155mm Towed Howitzer ; 1850

Field artillery

Artillery Origin Type In service Manufacturer/Produced Notes
KH-178  Republic of Korea 105mm Towed Howitzer 24 KIA Machine Tool(now Hyundai Wia(1984~) 54 were sold to indonesia in 2009. 36 KH178 light howitzer was to the Chilean Marines.
KH179  Republic of Korea 155mm Towed Howitzer Over 1,000 KIA Machine Tool(now Hyundai Wia/(1983~)
KM101A1  United States/ Republic of Korea 105mm Towed Howitzer 700 KIA Machine Tool(now Hyundai Wia/(1970s) made under license
M101 howitzer  United States 105mm Towed Howitzer 2300+ Rock Island Arsenal Up to 1000 kept in reserve/storage.
M114 howitzer  United States 155mm Towed Howitzer 850 Rock Island Arsenal Kept in reserve/storage.

Self-propelled artillery

Artillery Origin Type In service Manufacturer/Produced Notes
K9 Thunder  Republic of Korea 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 532[12] Samsung Techwin/ 1999–present Total 1,136 will be delivered until 2018
K10 ARV  Republic of Korea Ammunition Resupply Vehicle At least 18 Samsung Techwin/2006~ Total 179 will be delivered
K55/K55A1  United States/ Republic of Korea 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1,042 Samsung Techwin/(1985~1997) M109A2 built under license by Samsung Techwin
modernized by Samsung Techwin
M107  United States 175mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 100 Kept in reserve/storage.
K532  Sweden/ Republic of Korea Self-Propelled Gun-Mortar 500 Kia Motors/(1988~) made under license 4.2inch (107mm) Self-Propelled Gun-Mortar
K242A1  Republic of Korea 107mm Self-Propelled Mortar Doosan K200 self-propelled mortar variant
K281A1  Republic of Korea 81mm Self-Propelled Mortar Doosan K200 self-propelled mortar variant

Rocket Artillery

Artillery Origin Type Version/Produced Maximum range Quantity(launch vehicle) Quantity(Rocket) Notes
K136/A1  Republic of Korea Multiple Rocket Launcher K-30(130mm)/1981~1987[13]
K-33(131mm)/1987~[13]		 23km [13]
36km [13]		 156(Kia 5ton truck - KM809A1)[13] 140,000[13]
340,000 [13]
M270  United States MLRS Launcher 227mm M270/1998[13]
M270A1(2008)[13]		 32km
45.5km		 48
10		 Total 27,684 will be delivered until 2012[13] Domestic production; licensed by Hanwha
Chun-mu  Republic of Korea Multiple Rocket Launcher DAPA's decision-making body approved a plan to develop an indigenous 230mm(MLRS) by 2013[14] 80km - - Hanwha Corp. will take charge of system integration and build guided and nonguided rockets, while Doosan DST will build the launch pad and vehicle[14]

Air defense

Air defense Origin Type In service Notes
K30 Biho  Republic of Korea 30mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun 176[15] 318 to be produced until 2013
K263A1 Chungung  Republic of Korea 20mm Self-Propelled Vulcan 520 K200 self-propelled AAA variant
K-SAM Chunma  France/ Republic of Korea Short-Range Self-Propelled SAM 120 Crotale NG system in indigenous design by LIG Nex1
Shingung (KP-SAM)  Republic of Korea Man-Portable Air Defense System Under delivery, approximately 2,000 missiles will be fielded
Mistral  France Man-Portable Air Defense System ~406 Domestic production; 5,000 missiles fielded
SA-16 Igla-1E  Russia Man-Portable Air Defense System 50 Directly bought from Russia; 1,000 missiles fielded
Javelin[16]  United Kingdom Man-Portable Air Defense System
FIM-92 Stinger  United States Man-Portable Air Defense System Transferred from War Reserve Stock for Allies - Korea
Oerlikon 35mm[17]  Germany
 Switzerland		 35mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun 36 Uses Skyguard system, two guns linked to one radar

Anti-tank weapons

Anti-tank weapon Origin Type In service Notes
BGM-71 TOW  United States TOW Missile
M40 106mm  United States Recoilless Rifle
M67 90mm  United States Man-Portable Recoilless Rifle
M72 LAW  United States Man-Portable Unguided RPG
Panzerfaust 3  Germany Man-Portable Guided RPG
Metis-M  Russia Man-Portable SACLOS Missile 226 SACLOS sighting device and 12,000 missiles were domestically produced by LIG Nex1[18]

Surface-to-surface missile

Missile Origin Type Version/Range In service
Hyunmoo-1  Republic of Korea Short-Range Ballistic Missile 180 km ~30 TEL
Hyunmoo-2A  Republic of Korea Short-Range Ballistic Missile 300 km 100 in silos [19]
Hyunmoo-2B  Republic of Korea Short-Range Ballistic Missile 500 km
Hyunmoo-3A  Republic of Korea Ground-Launched Cruise Missile 500 km classified
Hyunmoo-3B  Republic of Korea Ground-Launched Cruise Missile 1,000 km classified
Hyunmoo-3C  Republic of Korea Ground-Launched Cruise Missile 1,500 km classified
MGM-140 ATACMS  United States Tactical Short-Range Ballistic Missile Block I(180 km)
Block IA(300 km)		 111
110

Aircraft

The ROK Army operates 600 helicopters.

Aircraft Origin Type Version In service Quantity Notes
Bell Helicopter UH-1  United States Utility Transport UH-1H/N 1965~1978[20] 129[21]
Sikorsky Aircraft UH-60  United States/ Republic of Korea Utility Transport UH-60P 1990~1999[20] 140[22] Built under license by Korean Air
Boeing Helicopters CH-47 Chinook  United States Heavy Transport CH-47D
CH-47DLR		 1988~1998[20] 23
KAI Surion  Republic of Korea Utility Transport Surion 2012~ 3 proto type(Planned 245) planned to replace the UH-1
MD Helicopters MD-500  United States/ Republic of Korea Light Attack
Light Attack		 MD-500 Defender
MD-500 TOW Defender		 1976~1988[20] 207
50		 Built under license by Korean Air
Bell Helicopter AH-1 Cobra  United States Attack AH-1F 1977~1991[20] 90[23]
Messerschmitt Bo 105  Germany/ Republic of Korea Light Attack Bo 105CBS 1999~2000[20] 12 Built under license by KAI
KAH  Republic of Korea Attack KAI KAH(Korean attack helicopter) 2018~ (Planned 200)[24] planned to replace the MD-500[24]

Auxiliary systems

System Origin Type In service Notes
K1 AVLB  Republic of Korea Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge 70 built by Hyundai Mobis on K1 platform
K1 ARV  Republic of Korea Armored Recovery Vehicle 150 built by Hyundai Mobis on K1 platform
KM9 ACE  United States Armored Combat Earthmover 200 built by Samsung Techwin under license
KM138  United States Minelayer built by Samsung Techwin under license
Rheinmetall Landsysteme Keiler  Germany Mine Clearing Vehicle
Rheinmetall Landsysteme Rhino  Germany Mine Clearing Vehicle
M58 MICLIC  United States Mine Clearing Line Charge
AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder  United States Counter-Battery Radar 11
AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder  United States Counter-Battery Radar 5
Saab ARTHUR  Sweden Counter-Battery Radar 6

References

  1. ^ ROK Defense Industry
  2. ^ "The Revolution in Military Affairs and the Defence Industry in South Korea". http://www.securitychallenges.org.au/ArticlePDFs/vol4no4MoonandLee.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-13. 
  3. ^ Editorial Jet exports
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  6. ^ "Samsung Techwin Defense Program: KAAV7A1". http://www.samsungtechwin.com/prd/pro_view.asp?pro_uid=483&cat_uid=69&cat_biz=DEP&cat_lev=B. 
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  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Doosan Infracore Black Fox". http://www.military-today.com/apc/doosan_black_fox.htm. 
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Rotem KW1 Scorpion". http://www.military-today.com/apc/rotem_scorpion.htm. 
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  12. ^ "Land Force: Wherefore art thou howitzer? ADM Feb 2010". http://www.australiandefence.com.au/archive/land-force-wherefore-art-thou-howitzer-adm-feb-2010. 
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "한국의 다연장 로켓 (MLRS) 체계 정리". http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/bbs/view.html?b_bbs_id=10022&num=727. 
  14. ^ a b "South Korea To Deploy Airburst Rifle". http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4054045. 
  15. ^ "176 Biho purchased for 1.2 trillion won". http://www.usci.co.kr/kboard/kboard.php?board=board2&act=view&no=101&page=7&search_mode=&search_word=&cid=. 
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  17. ^ "e밀리터리 뉴스 - e Military News!!!". Emilitarynews.com. http://www.emilitarynews.com/board/sboard.php?brd_code=d0003&no=50&mode=view&cpage=5. Retrieved 2010-06-01. 
  18. ^ 신형철(해마). "디시엔 기획/현장 - 러시아 "매티스-M(9K115-2 Metis-M) 대전차 미사일". Dcn.or.kr. http://www.dcn.or.kr/54546. Retrieved 2010-06-01. 
  19. ^ "news.naver". http://news.naver.com/news/read.php?mode=LSD&office_id=009&article_id=0000397842&section_id=100&menu_id=100. Retrieved 2011-09-19. 
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  23. ^ "The Bell AH-1 HueyCobra". faqs.org. http://www.faqs.org/docs/air/avcobra.html. 
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