South Korean military will receive a new self-propelled mortar in 2021

By TOC On Sep 11, 2020

SEOUL, (BM) – South Korea launches mass production of a self-developed 120mm self-propelled mortar system based on an M113 tracked armored personnel carrier, learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing the Defense Procurement Administration of the Republic’s Defense Ministry (DAPA).

According to DAPA, a five-year contract worth 770 billion won [$ 648.5 million] will be signed by the end of 2020 for the serial production and delivery of a self-propelled mortar to the South Korean Armed Forces. It is expected that the first complexes will enter the troops in 2021.

Several South Korean companies were involved in the development of the installation, including Hanwha Defense and S&T Dynamics. The cost of the program was 41.3 billion won [34.8 million dollars]. The integrated mortar system, which can be rotated 360 °, has a longer range than the outdated M30 107mm mortar, which is planned to be removed from service.

DAPA previously reported that the new weapon, the development of which began in March 2014 and was completed in June 2019, is equipped with an automated fire control system and a semi-automatic loading system.

According to S&T Dynamics, the mortar, which weighs less than 1400 kg, has a maximum rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute. The firing range of high-explosive fragmentation ammunition is 8 km, for rockets – 13 km. It takes 30 seconds to prepare for firing.

Seoul decided to develop its own air defense system similar to the Iron Dome

As we reported on August 10 an ambitious plan to develop its own air defense system has been launched in South Korea and is expected to be implemented within the next five years.

The Minister of Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo announced today that his country aims to create a complex that will have two main goals – protection of the territorial integrity and infrastructure of the country and independence in the field of air defense.

A report by BulgarianMilitary.com shows that Seoul currently has the American M270 missile system with multiple launches, the Korean K239 Chunmoo and also the Korean but obsolete K136 Kooryong.

In the field of more serious air defense, Seoul uses Cheongung or M-SAM. It is also its own medium-range missile system and developed on the basis of the Russian S-350 and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.

According to the Minister of Defense, Seoul wants the future missile system to be similar to the Israeli Iron Dome. We remind you that the Israeli Iron Dome is one of the best in the world, and only a few days ago, the United States and Israel agreed to jointly develop a more optimal and efficient Israeli system.

According to Jeong Kyeong-doo, his country will invest approximately $ 253 billion in various areas of defense over the next five years, including the development of a new air defense system.

We remind you that South Korea is currently developing its version of a fifth-generation fighter, and work on this aircraft has advanced. Just a few days ago, Seoul unveiled a version of the future radar that will be used by KF-X – the name of the fighter, and the program for its implementation is worth $ 8.8 billion.

“When we talk about South Korea’s missile defense system, it usually refers to one targeting North Korea’s Scud-type or stronger missiles, whereas this new interceptor system will focus on protecting the capital area against the North’s long-range artillery such as its 240- mm or 300-mm multiple rocket launchers,” a ministry official said.

According to a number of military experts, as well as sources from the South Korean Ministry of Defense, the new air defense systems are likely to be put into service at the end of this decade, or early next.

Jeong Kyeong-doo also said that South Korea will not limit itself to the production of its own air defense system, but will continue in this direction and funds will be invested in the development of various types of missiles – air-to-ground and air-to-ship.

“The ministry will continue to cooperate with the monetary authorities to successfully push for the 2021-2025 defense plan,” it said in a release.

Currently, there is only one THAAD air defense system located in South Korea, which was deployed in May 2017. The presence of THAAD on the territory of South Korea was at the root of the conflict with China, which sharply expressed their disagreement, fearing that in the event of military action, this system could affect Chinese territories.

However, the two sides managed to normalize relations at the end of the same year.

Korea showed a radar capable of tracking more than 1000 targets simultaneously

As we reported on August 8 South Korea has presented a prototype radar of its own design, equipped with an active phased array antenna.

It is known that the radar has been developed by Hanwha Systems and the Korean Defense Development Agency (ADD) since 2016. The presentation of the product took place on August 7.

According to South Korean officials, the radar will soon begin to undergo ground tests, in addition, a test installation of the product on the KF-X prototype is planned. Elta Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, will take part in the test program.

There are still few details about AESA’s radar, which officials describe as “a state-of-the-art system capable of detecting and tracking over 1,000 targets simultaneously.” Earlier it was reported that the radar station will include approximately 1000 transceiver modules.

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