South Korea Armed Forces

[Khafee]

South Korea completes deliveries of KM-SAM Block-1 system to RoKAF
28 April 2020

The self-propelled Cheongung SAM system consists of at least one launcher (capable of carrying up to eight missiles), a command-and-control centre, and a multifunction radar. Source: DAPA

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on 28 April that deliveries of the Cheongung Korean medium-range surface-to-air missile (KM-SAM or M-SAM) Block-1 system to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) have been completed.

In a statement DAPA said the final units of the self-propelled system, which has a stated maximum range of 40 km and - along with the Block-2 variant - is intended to replace the RoKAF's MIM-23 HAWK (locally known as Cheolmae) SAM systems, were handed over in April.

The Cheongung Block-1, which was first was deployed with the RoKAF's Air Defense Missile Command in 2015 in an anti-aircraft role, is armed with eight SAMs per launcher.

The 4.6 m-long, cold-launched missiles - each of which costs an estimated KRW1.5 billion (USD1.2 million) - are capable of reaching a top speed of Mach 4.5 and an altitude of between 15 and 20 km.

A Cheongung SAM battery typically consists of a command-and-control centre, a multifunction radar, and four transporter-erector-launchers - all of which are mounted on separate 8×8 trucks. Development of the system was completed in 2011, with production of the Block-1 missiles beginning in 2013.

In June 2017 South Korea announced the beginning of mass-production of the Cheongung Block-2 variant to better counter North Korea's growing missile threats. The Block-2, deliveries of which are ongoing, is a hit-to-kill (HTK) missile interceptor designed to engage incoming ballistic missile targets at an altitude of about 20 km.

It was rated fit for combat operations after meeting all the requirements at a test conducted in early June 2017. The move marked the completion of the development of the improved HTK missile, which was led by the country's Agency for Defense Development in co-operation with South Korean companies such as LIG Nex1.

 

[Khafee]

South Korea plans to upgrade its SSM-700K anti-ship missile
04 May 2020

South Korea is planning to enhance the performance of its SSM-700K Haeseong (C-Star) anti-ship missile. Source: RoKN

South Korea is planning to enhance the performance of the locally developed SSM‐700K Haeseong (C-Star), sea-skimming, anti-ship missile, which has been in service with the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) since 2005.

An official from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) told Jane's in late April that advanced research analysis on a potential performance upgrade will be conducted between October 2020 and April 2021.

It is unclear what the upgrade will exactly entail but the navy is believed to be seeking to extend the weapon's maximum range - currently 150 km - to more than 200 km, bolster its anti-jamming capabilities, and enhance its satellite navigation and overall guidance system.

Military officials told Jane's that they want the upgraded SSM-700K to have a performance similar to that of the US-made RGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile, but with a longer range. The RGM-84L had a stated maximum range of 124 km.

South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) began developing the radar‐guided, air‐breathing SSM-700K in 1996, with mass production and deployment starting in 2005.

Prior to this the RoKN had introduced US-made Harpoon and French-made Exocet anti-ship missiles.

The SSM-700K, which is currently deployed on the RoKN's KDX-3-class destroyers, Incheon (FFX-I) and Daegu (FFX-II)-class frigates, and Gumdoksuri-class (PKG-A)-class fast patrol vessels, among others, is thought to use a phased‐array active radar seeker.

In flight the gimballed seeker scans in the horizontal plane only. The missile uses a GPS‐aided inertial navigation system for mid‐course guidance and active radar for terminal homing.

 

[Khafee]

Report: South Korea tested new ballistic missile with larger warhead
May 8, 2020

South Korea tested a new ballistic missile, dubbed the Hyunmoo-4 in local media, in March, according to local press reports. File Photo courtesy of Republic of Korea Ministry of Defense

May 7 (UPI) -- South Korea's military tested a ballistic missile capable of carrying a 2-ton warhead in March, according to local reports on Thursday.

South Korean news service EDaily reported Thursday the launch took place quietly at the Anheung test site operated by the Korean Agency for Defense Development, or ADD.

The weapon has been dubbed the Hyunmoo-4. In 2017, South Korea conducted combined ballistic drills with the U.S. Eighth Army's Tactical Missile System, which included the firing of missiles from Seoul's Hyunmoo-2 launcher.

According to EDaily, Seoul's military began to develop a ballistic missile capable of carrying a 2-ton warhead in 2017, as a follow-up measure to the revision of missile guidelines between the United States and South Korea. The purpose of the revision was to abolish weight limits on South Korean ballistic missiles.

Prior to the bilateral agreement, the limits on South Korean weapons prohibited the country from developing short-range missiles capable of carrying more powerful warheads.

South Korean missiles with a range of up to 500 miles can now be equipped with more powerful warheads. A warhead weighing at least 1,100 pounds can destroy runways. A warhead weighing at least 2 tons can demolish North Korea core facilities, as well as bunkers built dozens of meters below, EDaily says.

The South Korean military currently deploys the Hyunmoo-2A, with a range of 186 miles, and the Hyunmoo-2B, with a range of 311 miles. The Hyunmoo-2A can be equipped with a 2-ton warhead, and the Hyunmoo-2B can carry a 1-ton warhead.

South Korea is developing the Hyunmoo-2C, a weapon with a 500-mile range capable of being equipped with a warhead weighing at least 1,100 pounds. The Hyunmoo-2C is capable of precision strikes against support systems of weapons of mass destruction. The Hyunmoo-4, tested in March, has a 500-mile range and capable of carrying a 2-ton warhead.

The United States and South Korea have slowed the pace of joint exercises and have yet to reach an agreement on defense burden sharing.

Yonhap reported Thursday Seoul's foreign ministry said there are differing viewpoints between the two sides, as the Trump administration seeks an increase in Seoul's contribution to costs.

 

[Khafee]

South Korea to invest $250B in missile defense, submarines
Aug. 10, 2020

South Korea is to invest billions of dollars in the defense of the Seoul metropolitan area and on new submarines, according to local press reports Monday. File Photo by Yonhap

Aug. 10 (UPI) -- South Korea is to invest more than $250 billion in missile defense systems and new submarines to help deter North Korea military threats.

According to South Korea's five-year defense program for 2021-25, Seoul is to develop a missile interceptor similar to Israel's Iron Dome, Yonhap and Money Today reported Monday.

The Israeli system, designed to intercept and destroy short-range projectiles and artillery shells, is to serve as a model for South Korea's missile defense. The Cheongung medium-range surface-to-air missile defense system could be used to build Korea's Iron Dome, according to reports.

South Korea's missile interceptor system would be used to protect the Seoul metropolitan area, including satellite cities in Gyeonggi Province, against North Korean artillery fire.

Seoul's military plan is to primarily neutralize North Korea security threats while maintaining preparedness to potential security challenges that could arise in the region. According to Money Today, the plan is part of Seoul's policy to cope with the country's defense needs after 2022, when South Korea and the United States are expected to complete the transfer of wartime Operational Control Authority. OPCON transfer would leave Seoul in charge of all forces in the U.N. Command.

The defense ministry has also confirmed plans to build 3,600-ton and 4,000-ton submarines. The military is expected to install submarine-launched ballistic missiles, but a decision on whether the submarines are to be nuclear-powered is pending, according to reports. South Korea has agreed with the United States to not use nuclear power for military purposes.

Washington and Seoul recently agreed South Korea could revise missile guidelines that would allow for the use of solid fuel space rockets to launch military satellites.

On Monday, Seoul also officially confirmed plans to construct 30,000-ton light aircraft carriers. The warships are expected to be complete by early 2030.

 

[Khafee]

South Korea to begin series production of locally developed 120 mm self-propelled mortar system​

09 September 2020
by Dae Young Kim

South Korea will begin series production of a locally developed 120 mm self-propelled mortar system that has been integrated into an M113-type tracked armoured personnel carrier (APC).

The country’s Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) announced in a 9 September statement that the Defense Project Promotion Committee has decided to award in the fourth quarter of 2020 a five-year KRW770 billion (USD648.5 million) contract for the mass production of the systems, the first units of which are expected to enter service with the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) from next year.

South Korea has decided to mass-produce a newly developed 120-mm self-propelled mortar system under a five-year KRW770 billion (USD648.5 million) contract set to be awarded later this year. (Hanwha Defense)

Developed by several South Korean companies, including Hanwha Defense and S&T Dynamics, for KRW41.3 billion, the integrated mortar system, which can rotate 360°, is stated to have a strike range greater than that of the ageing M30 107 mm rifled mortar it is expected to replace.

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

According to S&T Dynamics, the mortar, which weighs less than 1,400 kg, has a maximum rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute for 3 minutes, a sustained rate of fire of 3 rounds per minute, and a firing range of 8 km for high-explosive rounds and of 13 km for rocket-assisted projectiles. The reaction time for the first round is stated to be 30 seconds.

The self-propelled system appears to be based on a variant of South Korea’s K200A1 tracked APC.

 

[Khafee]

Republic of Korea Navy Submarine Conducts Test-Launch Haeseong III Cruise Missile​

06 Oct 2020

The Republic of Korea Navy has conducted a test-launch of local-made Haeseong III cruise missile from Son Won II-class (Type 214) submarine. Haeseong III is a version of the Haeseong cruise missile designed to be launched underwater from submarines. The SSM-700K Haeseong (C-Star) Anti-ship Missile is a ship launched sea-skimming surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD), LIG Nex1 and the Republic of Korea Navy in 2003.

The Haeseong III is a strategic weapon capable of being launched from a submarine that can stealthily approach the North Korean coast. Only a handful of countries have their own similar missiles. They include the U.S. (Tomahawk), the U.K. (Tomahawk), Russia (Klub-S), France (SCALP Naval), China, and India. The Haeseong III will be carried by a new Type 214 (Son Won-Il) submarine. The Republic of Korea Navy has ordered nine Type 214 submarines, designated as Son Won-Il-class, to be built in Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

The Haeseong III is said to be so accurate that they can hit a window-size target of 1-3 sq.m, and powerful enough to pulverize a soccer field-size area to rubble. The cruise missile is subsonic and takes about 20 minutes to fly up to 1,000 km. It would be launched from the torpedo tube of a submarine in a waterproof capsule. When the capsule breaks the water surface, its nosecap is blown off and the missile pops out.But they can hit only fixed targets, such as command posts or air bases, not moving targets like the mobile launch platforms of the North’s ballistic missiles.

 

[Khafee]

North Korean submarine capable of firing missiles being watched, Seoul says​

By Elizabeth Shim

South Korea said it is paying attention to developments at Sinpo Shipyard, where in July 2019 Kim Jong Un examined a ROMEO-class submarine. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo

March 29 (UPI) -- North Korea's possible preparations for the launch of a new submarine is being "closely monitored," Seoul said, after U.S. analysts said movement has been detected at Sinpo South Naval Shipyard.

South Korean defense ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan said Monday at a regular press briefing that U.S. and South Korean intelligence authorities are "closely cooperating" and the government is tracking the latest developments, News 1 reported.

The statement from Seoul comes after satellite imagery analysis published to 38 North suggested North Korea had repositioned a floating dry dock alongside a submarine-launch quay.

"The new ballistic missile submarine, which has been under construction for several years, may be nearing completion or is ready to be rolled out and launched in the near future," analysts Jack Liu and Peter Makowsky said.

On Monday the defense ministry said that it had "no particular comments" on what appeared to be potential North Korean preparations for submarine deployment.

In July 2019, Kim Jong Un conducted field guidance at Sinpo Shipyard and examined a ROMEO-class submarine. The deployment of a new submarine could mean the regime might test submarine-launched ballistic missiles, a violation of U.N. National Security Council sanctions resolutions. North Korean SLBMs Pukguksong-4 and Pukguksong-5 were on display at a January military parade, according to Liu and Makowsky.

North Korea's launch of two short-range ballistic missiles early Thursday, local time, has been condemned in Washington as a violation of international law. China also could be tracking developments closely.

According to Japan's Joint Staff Office, the country's maritime self-defense force detected two Chinese naval destroyers and one frigate in an area about 30 miles northeast of Tsushima Island at 5 p.m. Thursday, News 1 reported Monday.

Japanese authorities identified the destroyers as the Type 055 Destroyer and the Type 052D destroyer. The frigate was the identified as the Type 054A of the Jiangkai-II class, the report said.

 

[Khafee]

South Korea reveals more details about plans to buy additional attack helicopters​

by Gabriel Dominguez & Dae Young Kim & Alessandra Giovanzanti

Two RoKA AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. DAPA announced on 31 March that South Korea has earmarked KRW3.17 trillion to acquire an additional 36 foreign-made attack helicopters by 2028 to add to its current fleet of 36 AH-64Es, thus achieving 1:1 replacement of its legacy Bell AH-1S rotorcraft. (RoKA)

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) revealed on 31 March more details about the country’s plans to acquire an additional 36 foreign-made attack helicopters for the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).

The country’s Defense Project Promotion Committee decided that the rotorcraft, which are intended to replace the RoKA’s Bell AH-1S attack helicopters, are to be acquired under the second phase of the ‘Large Attack Helicopter Project’. This programme phase, which has been budgeted at KRW3.17 trillion (USD2.81 billion), is scheduled to begin next year and be completed by 2028.

The new aircraft, which are to be sourced via a competitive bidding process, will supplement the RoKA’s current fleet of 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters, which were acquired from the United States for about USD1.6 billion under the first phase of the programme.

The Yonhap News Agency quoted an unnamed DAPA official as saying, “We will begin procedures to select the exact type of this asset, as well as a company to purchase the attack helicopters,” adding that the budget earmarked for the second phase of the programme “has increased due to inflation and the necessary addition of some equipment and facilities”.

The planned acquisition is motivated by the need for greater air attack capabilities to compensate for the reduction in manpower and the transition of wartime operational command from the US to South Korea, RoKA officials told Janes, adding that the 36 additional rotorcraft would cover “the extended operational range of ground operations”.

 

[A123]

World’s ‘Most Expensive’ Main Battle Tank: Meet K2 Black Panther -- The Ultimate War Machine -- That Can ‘Float On Water’

With a price tag of $8.5 million dollars, South Korea's indigenously developed K2 Black Panther tank is the most expensive tank in the world.

eurasiantimes.com

World’s ‘Most Expensive’ Main Battle Tank: Meet K2 Black Panther — The Ultimate Battle Machine — That Can ‘Float On Water’

 

[Soldier35]

Tests of the new fighter KF-21 Borama South Korea

The South Korean aircraft manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industries has begun ground testing of the KF-21 Borama fighter. The plane was created as a cheap alternative to the American F-35 fighter. Borame does not have internal weapon hardpoints needed to reduce visibility. This does not allow it to be attributed to the fifth generation of aircraft. At the same time, he will be able to fly faster than the F-35, accelerating to a speed of Mach 1.9. On an external sling, the aircraft will be able to carry up to 10 missiles. The aircraft actually belongs to the generation 4 plus fighters. The manufacturer claims that the radar of their aircraft is better than that of Russian or Chinese aircraft, although it is not clear how they came to such conclusions, other countries except Russia do not have exact information about the capabilities of the Su-57 radars. It is alleged that in total, at the points of external suspension, the KF-21 will be able to carry up to 7.5 tons of bombs, missiles or external fuel tanks, increasing the range of the vehicle. Such a load is quite at the level of the American F-35 and noticeably more than that of the F-22. The aircraft is equipped with an active phased antenna array and software at the level of fifth-generation aircraft. There are also optical and thermal imaging passive systems for searching and aiming at enemy aircraft. The KF-21 in the Block 2 version will receive large compartments for the internal placement of weapons: this will reduce its radio visibility to the level of the F-117, and the Block 3 version will receive even lower radio visibility, closer to the F-22.

 

[Bayernulan]

World’s ‘Most Expensive’ Main Battle Tank: Meet K2 Black Panther -- The Ultimate War Machine -- That Can ‘Float On Water’

With a price tag of $8.5 million dollars, South Korea's indigenously developed K2 Black Panther tank is the most expensive tank in the world.

eurasiantimes.com

World’s ‘Most Expensive’ Main Battle Tank: Meet K2 Black Panther — The Ultimate Battle Machine — That Can ‘Float On Water’

View attachment 18790

Hm.. I am quite surprised to read that. AFAIK a Leo IIA7+, Abrams and Challengers (latest models) cost all around US$ 20+million.
The Leo IIA7Q's delivered to Qatar cost around US$27 million a piece.

 

[Soldier35]

Large-scale US and South Korean Ssangyong amphibious landing maneuvers have started. South Korea's and the US's Ssangyong exercise became a deterrent to North Korea's latest ICBM launch. About 30 ships, at least 70 aircraft and helicopters, as well as landing craft are involved in the exercises. In addition, for the first time, 40 British Marines will take part in the maneuvers, and the military from Australia, the Philippines and France will be present as observers. Aviation is also involved in the exercises, the video shows B-1B bombers, US Air Force F-16C fighters and South Korean F-35A. The Ssangyong exercises are part of the larger Freedom Shield maneuvers.

 

[Soldier35]

South Korea has shown a combat laser Block-I designed to intercept drones. The fiber-optic laser Block-I is designed to combat small UAVs at a distance of up to 3 km, the laser power is 20 kW. The Block-I laser has already begun to be mass-produced, this year the troops will receive it. The Block-I laser exists in a mobile and stationary version. The modernized version Block-II will be able to hit aircraft and ballistic missiles, how they will be able to intercept ballistic missiles is still unknown. Laser Air Defense Weapon Block-I was developed as part of the South Korean Star Wars project, research on it began in 2019, $ 63 million was spent.
The laser is manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace, the cost of a Block-I laser shot is one and a half dollars.

 

[Soldier35]

The Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile was displayed at a military parade to mark the 76th anniversary of the South Korean Armed Forces. The Hyunmoo-5 missile system is currently the most powerful in South Korea. The Hyunmoo-5 missile is capable of carrying an 8-9 ton conventional warhead and penetrating deep into the ground, destroying underground bunkers. The Hyunmoo-5 missile weighs about 36 tons and is capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 3.5 thousand kilometers. By reducing the weight of the warhead, the missile’s range could be about 5,000 kilometers. The missile has independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), allowing it to hit multiple targets. The Hyunmoo surface-to-surface missile is considered one of the key assets in the three-axis deterrence structure against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.