Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

True worth of masterwork, "great power" during performance demonstration

“Wonderful” was the praise received from each military official after watching K-2 tank
Great appeal of K-9, a self-propelled gun, as well with live firing of Hyeonggung

As part of DX Korea 2014, a maneuver and firing performance demonstration was held at Yangpyeong training ground, the 20th Division, and Darack shooting range, the 6th Corps, on September 26. Many army officials from other countries who watched the demonstration were favorably impressed by a Korean weapon, the K-2 tank.

Around 40 foreign visitors - army figures from nine countries including the Hungarian Commander in chief and other people related to the defense industry attended and had a chance to see our Army’s superior domestic weapon system, expressing interest in the K-2 tank and K-9 self-propelled gun. 

The highlight of the demonstration was the K-2, in comparison to the K1A1 tank, which made its debut after force integration in July of last year.

“Firing three tank guns in a row to compare fusillade capability!” Two tanks started firing with the announcement. The first shots were fired with an explosive roar in which the two mixed as one, yet the cannonball fired from the K-2 tank reached the target a little faster than the K1A1's. Right after the firing, it displayed the mechanical movement that is unique to the vehicle, equipped with an automatic loading apparatus. The turret of the K-2 was aligned toward the front, then the gun-barrel descended. It only took several seconds to aim at the second target with a clanging sound. A few seconds later, the K-2 tank blazed away, people could hear the shooting sound of K1A1, and the gap got much wider when the third was fired.

Although both tanks are equipped with 120mm smooth-bore guns, K-2's muzzle velocity, 1,400m/s, is faster than that of K1A1, 1,140m/s, due to its 6.6m-long gun barrel, which is 1.3m longer. It secured higher accuracy and penetration through this feature. It is also possible to re-fire seven seconds faster than K1A1 thanks to an automatic loading apparatus.

There were also other things that caught people's eyes such as all-weather mobility with which K-2 dives and crosses up to a 4m-depth river and total posture control function that lowers the possibility of being detected or bombed through 40cm-height adjustment. In particular, when it showed its state-of-the-art functions with a laser warning system that it aimed at the enemy, turning the turret almost at the same time as the virtual enemy aiming at K-2, there were exclamations and applause from the stand.

“K-2 has bettered its ability to destroy the enemy's tanks and is optimized to Korean topography with its 4m-dive and crossing function so that it can destroy the enemy's tank at the first shot. All sides of its function have been greatly improved in aspects of firepower, mobility, defensive power, etc., from the existing K1A1” explained Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jong-yeon, the chief of the 12th tank battalion, 20th Division.

Meanwhile, at the Yangpyeong training ground, the Army introduced most of the mechanized equipment it has retained such as the K-21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, K200-series armored vehicle and 30mm self-anti-aircraft gun which are Biho, Cheonma and Vulcan. Among these, the K-21 rescue vehicle was shown in public for the first time, catching people’s eyes.

At the Darack shooting range in Pocheon, the K-9 self-propelled gun and K-10 ammunition carrier demonstrated their mobility and firepower and provided a trial ride for every overseas major officer, receiving a favorable response from them. There was the first live shooting of “Hyeonggung”, the anti-tank guided weapon.

“I was impressed by the K-2 tank and K-9 self-propelled gun. This demonstration made me confirm the Korean Army’s advanced technologies in the defense industry,” said Lieutenant General Supakun, Thai director of logistics who watched the demonstration.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >
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