RoK Army receives initial batch of locally developed mortar system

South Korean firms S&T Dynamics and Hanwha Defense have collaborated on developing and producing a new 120 mm mortar system for the Republic of Korea Army. (Hanwha Defense)

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on 4 February the delivery of an initial batch of indigenous 120 mm self-propelled mortar systems to the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).

According to DAPA, the new mortar system has a range 2.3 times and firepower 1.9 times greater than the system it will replace. It also features improved accuracy and a 360° firing capability.

The new system – integrated onto the M113-type tracked armoured personnel carrier (APC) – is expected to replace the ageing M30 107 mm mortar system that has been in RoKA operation for several decades.

DAPA said that the new system will be operated by the RoKA alongside new “fire direction centre vehicles”, which Janes assesses is the K277A1 command post vehicle. This platform is similarly based on the M113 APC.

According to DAPA, local firm S&T Dynamics produced the new mortar system and integrated it onto a vehicle provided by Hanwha Defense.

DAPA also said that the production of the mortar systems cost KRW779.4 billion (USD649.5 million), while the contract to procure the fire direction centre vehicles was worth KRW101.6 billion.

Janes previously reported that the new system is probably based on South Korea's K200A1, which itself is a variant of the M113 tracked APC. The system's crew comprises a driver, a commander, a gunner, and a loader.