S. Korea to begin production of 120-mm self-propelled mortar system

The new weapon, which was developed with indigenous technologies last year, will replace aging 107-mm mortars mounted on K200A1 armored tracked vehicles

S. Korea to begin production of 120-mm self-propelled mortar system

Photo: Hanwha Defense

The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported this week that South Korea has decided to mass-produce a newly developed 120-millimeter self-propelled mortar system later this year. The government held a defense project promotion committee meeting and decided to sign a $648 million contract in the fourth quarter to produce the mortar system for deployment next year, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said.

The new weapon, which was developed with indigenous technologies last year, will replace aging 107-mm mortars mounted on K200A1 armored tracked vehicles. It has a maximum speed of 70 kph and a range of 12 kilometers. The range and firepower are approximately double what the 107-mm mortar is capable of, and it also has an autonomic fire control and reloading system, the agency said.