Korean Weapons Systems Database

Explore South Korea's leading defense systems by category, manufacturer, export history, and field performance. Each profile connects technical specifications with contract data and field reports to help you understand the systems behind Korea's defense exports.

Featured Systems

Explore profiles for K9 Thunder, K2 Black Panther, KF-21 Boramae, FA-50, Chunmoo, Cheongung-II, and related export systems.

155mm Artillery Ammunition

Poongsan produces a comprehensive range of 155mm artillery ammunition including HE, smoke, illumination, and extended-range variants with base-bleed. Supplied to the ROK Army for K9 howitzers and exported globally.

8x8 Wheeled 155mm SPH

Wheeled 8×8 self-propelled howitzer unveiled by Hanwha Aerospace in March 2026 for NATO export markets. Integrates the same 155 mm 52-caliber gun from the K9 Thunder onto a high-mobility wheeled chassis, offering faster strategic redeployment, lower logistics footprint, and full NATO-standard ammunition interoperability. Features an automated loading system to reduce crew size. Engagement range exceeds 40 km with conventional shells and up to ~70 km with extended-range or rocket-assisted projectiles. In August 2026 the US Army selected the variant, marketed as the K9MH (K9 Mobile Howitzer), for its Mobile Tactical Cannon prototype program, with six prototypes to be assembled by Hanwha Defense USA in Opelika, Alabama.

AB-U60 Drone-Carrier

VTOL fixed-wing UAV (3m wingspan, 60kg MTOW) that carries four interceptor drones for autonomous counter-drone operations.

AD-2100 VTOL

Entry-level 4+1 VTOL fixed-wing UAV for civil and military reconnaissance and survey. First delivered in September 2020; 26 units ordered between December 2022 and July 2024.

AD-3000 Stealth VTOL Reconnaissance Drone

AD-3000

Low-observable vertical-takeoff-and-landing fixed-wing reconnaissance UAV with a 15 kg maximum takeoff weight, 2.5 kg payload, 150-minute endurance, and 30 km operating radius. Radar-signature reduction of about 80 percent, verified at Ohio State University's ElectroScience Laboratory, comes from low-observable shaping and radar-absorbing coating applied to key surfaces. Navigates without GPS using visual-inertial odometry and SLAM, with an anti-jam datalink and evasive terminal flight. About 95 percent domestic content. Supplied to the Republic of Korea Army and a major Korean defense prime; set a domestic small-UAV record of 2 hours 55 minutes of continuous flight in May 2026. The larger armed AD-4000 (35 kg MTOW, 10 kg payload) is due in 2027.

AD-4000 Armed Stealth VTOL

Larger stealth VTOL drone for reconnaissance and strike, able to carry weapons. Completion targeted within 2027; Series A proceeds fund its development.

AD-ME1 Training Multicopter

100 percent domestically made educational multicopter selected for the ROK Army's 500,000 drone warriors training program; 3,792 units under an KRW 8.7B contract due by December 2026.

AESA Multifunction Radar

Hanwha Systems' Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar family includes airborne variants for the KF-21 fighter and naval variants for the FFX Batch III frigate and other surface combatants. Provides simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets.

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Artillery 3 Fighter Aircraft 3 Helicopter 1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle 1 Missile System 5 Naval Vessel 2 Small Arms 8 Tank 1 UAV/Drone 9

KDReview // Weapons Systems Database

53 / 53 SYSTEMS

AMMO SYSTEMACTIVE

155mm Artillery Ammunition

MFR Poongsan Corporation

FULL PROFILE

OVERVIEW

BATTLE TESTED

NATO / Global K9 OperationsGLOBALLY FIELDED

2025|NATO / Poongsan Export Records

92%

Poongsan 155mm ammunition has been fired through K9 Thunder howitzers by nine nations including Poland, India, Egypt, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Romania, Turkey, and Australia. During NATO exercises in Poland, over 3,000 rounds were fired with zero barrel failures. The HE-BB (base bleed) extended-range variants routinely achieve 40km+ engagement ranges, compatible with all NATO standard 155mm platforms.

Fired by 9 K9 operator nations globally3,000+ rounds fired in NATO exercises with zero failuresHE-BB variant achieves 40km+ rangeFull NATO STANAG 4425 compliance verified

SPECIFICATIONS

caliber

155mm

types

HE (High Explosive), HE-BB (Base Bleed), Smoke, Illumination, DPICM

compatibility

NATO standard 155mm howitzers

range he bb km

30-40

All Systems (53)

ammunition

155mm Artillery Ammunition

artillery

8x8 Wheeled 155mm SPH

K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle

K10

Automated ammunition resupply vehicle designed to operate in conjunction with the K9 Thunder. Uses an automated conveyor system to transfer rounds to the K9 without crew exposure.

K9 Thunder

K9A1/A2

The K9 Thunder is a 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer that has become one of the most exported artillery systems in the world. Over 1,700 units have been produced for South Korea and export customers including Poland, Norway, Finland, Egypt, India, Estonia, Australia, and Romania.

fighter

FA-50 Fighting Eagle

FA-50

The FA-50 Fighting Eagle is a light combat aircraft derived from the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer. Equipped with an EL/M-2032 radar and capable of carrying a variety of precision-guided munitions. Exported to the Philippines, Iraq, Poland, and Malaysia.

KF-21 Boramae

KF-21

The KF-21 Boramae (Young Hawk) is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter aircraft under development by KAI with Indonesian participation. Features AESA radar, twin GE F414 engines, and is designed to replace the F-4 and F-5 fleets. First flight achieved in July 2022.

T-50 Golden Eagle

T-50

The T-50 Golden Eagle is the world's first supersonic advanced jet trainer developed with Lockheed Martin. It serves as the basis for the FA-50 light fighter and TA-50 lead-in fighter trainer variants.

helicopter

KAI Surion

KUH-1

The KAI Surion (KUH-1) is a twin-engine utility helicopter developed jointly by KAI and Airbus Helicopters for the Republic of Korea Army. Variants include the marine variant (MUH-1 Marineon) and medical evacuation versions.

ifv

Redback IFV

AS21

The AS21 Redback is a next-generation infantry fighting vehicle developed to meet the Australian Land 400 Phase 3 requirement. Features a 30mm autocannon turret, advanced protection systems, and capacity for 8 dismounts.

missile

Cheongung-II (M-SAM)

Cheongung-II

The Cheongung-II (Iron Hawk-II) is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by LIG Nex1. It provides area defense against aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles at ranges up to 40km. Part of the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) layered defense architecture.

Hyunmoo Series

Hyunmoo-2/3/4/5

The Hyunmoo family of missiles is the backbone of South Korea's strategic strike capability, comprising short-range ballistic missiles (Hyunmoo-2), cruise missiles (Hyunmoo-3), and newer longer-range variants (Hyunmoo-4/5). Exact specifications are classified.

K-SAAM Haegung

Haegung

Ship-launched short-range surface-to-air missile (K-SAAM) developed by the Agency for Defense Development with LIG Nex1 participation starting in 2011. Designed to defend naval vessels against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, and other airborne threats. Capable of reaching Mach 2 with a range of up to 20 km.

K239 Chunmoo

K239

The K239 Chunmoo is a wheeled multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) capable of firing 130mm, 227mm, and 239mm guided and unguided rockets as well as the CTM-290 tactical ballistic missile. Selected by Poland, Estonia, Norway, Croatia, and the UAE.

L-SAM

The L-SAM (Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile) is a Korean-developed long-range air and missile defense system designed to intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft at ranges up to 150km and altitudes up to 60km. Part of the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system.

naval

FFX Batch III Frigate

FFX Batch III (Chungnam-class)

The FFX Batch III is a 3,500-ton guided-missile frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy featuring the KVLS (Korean Vertical Launch System), AESA radar, and advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

KSS-III Submarine

KSS-III Batch I/II

The KSS-III (Jangbogo-III class) is a 3,000-ton diesel-electric attack submarine featuring air-independent propulsion (AIP), six vertical launch cells for cruise missiles, and advanced combat systems. The most capable conventional submarine in the ROK Navy inventory.

other

AI4CE

On-device AI platform for military training and tactical education. Enables AI-powered learning, simulation, and decision support in offline and constrained environments — addressing instructor shortages and slow adoption of new technologies across manned-unmanned integrated combat systems. Validated at Stanford University National Security Hackathon (co-hosted by Shield Capital & In-Q-Tel) and deployed with KST Special Warfare Vocational School and Korea Counter-Drone Industry Association.

Autonomous Proximity-Operations Demonstrator

KRIT-funded microsatellite that uses an onboard camera and AI to recognize another object in orbit, plan a collision-free approach path, and control its own orbit for inspection and rendezvous missions. Nara Space is prime for design, build, launch, operation, and verification through December 2030.

Bone Unified AI Platform

End-to-end platform integrating AI simulation, autonomy algorithms, embedded engineering, hardware design, and manufacturing for autonomous unmanned systems.

BusanSat

12U, ~12 kg satellite with a polarization camera measuring marine fine dust and atmosphere over Busan port, the west coast, and the Pacific for Busan City, developed with NASA Langley and KASI. Launched on Falcon 9 on May 3, 2026 (local time); the first Korean local-government ocean-observation satellite.

Counter-Drone Training AI

AI-enhanced instruction for anti-drone operator certification.

Deployable SAR Mesh Antenna

4 m-class, three-stage deployable mesh antenna for synthetic-aperture radar smallsats, described as the first developed in Korea.

Drone Swarm AI

Autonomous multi-drone coordination for synchronized attack and reconnaissance missions.

EarthPaper / EP Agent

Satellite-imagery marketplace and analysis platform; EP Agent adds natural-language AI analysis, with a beta released in September 2026 for wildfire damage assessment. Defense-driven demand for AI imagery analysis rose in early 2026.

F4GE Manufacturing Execution Platform

AI-driven precision manufacturing platform delivering accountable production for defense, aerospace, robotics, semiconductor, and shipbuilding programs through one integrated production path.

GYEONGGISat-1 (Observer-1B)

16U, ~23 kg climate-monitoring satellite for Gyeonggi Province with a visible and near-infrared multispectral camera, the first Korean satellite led by a local government. Launched on Falcon 9 from Vandenberg on November 28, 2025 (local time).

KT-1 Woongbi

KT-1

The KT-1 Woongbi is a turboprop basic trainer aircraft developed by KAI. It serves as the primary trainer for the Republic of Korea Air Force and has been exported to Indonesia, Turkey, Peru, and Senegal.

Morph Ontology Platform

Custom ontology-based data integration platform for defense and manufacturing firms using Palantir. Maps data relationships across ERP, logistics, financial, and operational systems for automated decision-making.

Observer-1A Earth Observation Cubesat

Observer-1A

Nara Space's first satellite and the first commercial cubesat launched by a Korean company. The 16U (20 x 20 x 40 cm), roughly 24 kg spacecraft carries a multispectral electro-optical camera with 1.5 m native resolution from a 525 km orbit, improved to about 0.5 m with AI super-resolution, over a 14 x 40 km swath. Launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare from Vandenberg on November 11, 2023 (local time), it was first of the 113 satellites on that flight to transmit data and has operated beyond its two-year design life. The same 16U bus flew again as GYEONGGISat-1 (Observer-1B) in November 2025, and the 12U BusanSat followed in May 2026. The Observer bus and its onboard AI underpin the company's ADD mock-satellite contract and the KRIT autonomous proximity-operations demonstrator due by 2030.

PEGASUS

Natural-language voice AI command-and-control solution: one operator voice-tasks multiple unmanned systems at once, with the AI interpreting commands, distributing missions across drones, marking detected anomalies on the map, and reporting back.

Space Domain Awareness Optical Payload (16U)

Micro-vibration-damped optical payload with onboard AI processor for a 16U space-domain-awareness microsatellite, developed with SRI International under KRIT's defense innovation global-cooperation program over 36 months from September 2026.

StealthMole Dark Web Intelligence Platform

AI-enabled digital investigation and threat monitoring platform that scans 255 billion data points from the dark web, deep web, and hidden sources to detect cybercrime and trace threat actors.

STEP POD Cubesat Deployer

STEP POD

Cubesat deployer that isolates the satellite from launch-vehicle vibration using StepLab's in-house vibration isolation system, reducing the launch loads that drive structural margins on small satellites. Its first flight demonstration is DaejeonSAT-1, StepLab's own 16U cubesat and Daejeon City's first satellite, manifested as a secondary payload on the fifth launch of the Korean Nuri (KSLV-II) rocket planned for 2026. The same micro-vibration isolation approach is the foundation of the 16U space-domain-awareness optical payload StepLab is developing with SRI International under a KRIT defense program from September 2026, and of the STEP-RING15 15-inch separation ring for satellites under 300 kg now being localized.

STEP-RING15 Separation Ring

15-inch standard separation system for satellites under 300 kg that holds the spacecraft to the launch vehicle and releases it on orbit, combining StepLab's separation mechanism with launch-load and vibration reduction. Being localized under a Ministry of SMEs and Startups regional startup program.

radar

AESA Multifunction Radar

small arms

K1 Submachine Gun

K1A

The K1A is a compact 5.56×45mm submachine gun / carbine used by ROK special forces, vehicle crews, and officers. Sometimes called the "Korean CAR-15", it features a shorter barrel and telescoping stock for close-quarters operations. Despite its compact size, it fires the same 5.56mm NATO round as the K2 rifle, providing excellent terminal effectiveness.

K14 Sniper Rifle

K14

The K14 is the standard-issue bolt-action sniper rifle of the ROK military, chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. It is based on a modified Mauser-type action and provides accurate long-range fire to 800m+. Used by ROK Army and Marine Corps designated marksman and sniper teams.

K2 Assault Rifle

K2 / K2C1

The K2 is the standard-issue 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, in service since 1984. Designed by Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and manufactured by S&T Motiv, it features a folding stock, gas-operated rotating bolt, and is optimized for the Korean operating environment. The modernized K2C1 variant adds Picatinny rails for optics and accessories. Over 2 million produced.

K201 Grenade Launcher

K201

The K201 is an underslung 40mm grenade launcher designed to mount on the K2 assault rifle, similar to the M203. It fires standard 40×46mm NATO low-velocity grenades including HE, smoke, illumination, and practice rounds. Provides organic indirect fire capability at the fire team level.

K3 Light Machine Gun

The K3 is the standard squad automatic weapon of the ROK Army, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. Based on the FN Minimi design, it provides sustained automatic fire at the squad level, fed from M27 disintegrating link belts or standard STANAG magazines. The K3 offers NATO interoperability and has been a reliable platform for decades.

K4 Automatic Grenade Launcher

The K4 is a crew-served 40mm automatic grenade launcher used by the ROK military for area suppression and anti-personnel roles. Fires 40×53mm high-velocity grenades at a sustained rate, mounted on tripods, vehicles, and naval vessels. Korean equivalent to the Mk 19.

K5 Pistol

The K5 is the standard-issue 9×19mm semi-automatic pistol of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Based on the Daewoo DP51 design, it features a unique tri-action trigger mechanism combining single-action, double-action, and "fast-action" (half-cocked) modes. Reliable, accurate, and well-suited for military sidearm duties.

K6 Heavy Machine Gun

The K6 is a 12.7×99mm (.50 BMG) heavy machine gun serving as the standard vehicle-mounted and crew-served heavy weapon of the ROK Armed Forces. Mounted on the K2 Black Panther tank, K200-series APCs, and various vehicles and fixed positions. Provides anti-personnel, anti-materiel, and anti-aircraft capability.

tank

K2 Black Panther

The K2 Black Panther is a next-generation main battle tank featuring an advanced autoloader, composite and ERA armor, active protection system, and a 120mm/55-caliber smoothbore gun. Selected by Poland as its new MBT with over 1,000 units ordered.

uav

AB-U60 Drone-Carrier

VTOL fixed-wing UAV (3m wingspan, 60kg MTOW) that carries four interceptor drones for autonomous counter-drone operations.

AD-2100 VTOL

Entry-level 4+1 VTOL fixed-wing UAV for civil and military reconnaissance and survey. First delivered in September 2020; 26 units ordered between December 2022 and July 2024.

AD-3000 Stealth VTOL Reconnaissance Drone

AD-3000

AD-4000 Armed Stealth VTOL

Larger stealth VTOL drone for reconnaissance and strike, able to carry weapons. Completion targeted within 2027; Series A proceeds fund its development.

AD-ME1 Training Multicopter

100 percent domestically made educational multicopter selected for the ROK Army's 500,000 drone warriors training program; 3,792 units under an KRW 8.7B contract due by December 2026.

Bigung Loitering Munition

Bigung

The Bigung is a loitering munition (kamikaze drone) developed by Hanwha Aerospace. It can be launched from ground vehicles or infantry platforms, loiter over the battlefield to identify targets, and strike with precision. Part of Korea's push into unmanned combat systems.

Jaiden Ground Attack Drone

Jaiden

Ground attack drone equipped with a 60mm mortar capability for precision strike missions. Designed as a tactical unmanned aerial system for close air support and infantry fire support roles.

Kaiden Counter-Drone Interceptor

Kaiden

Autonomous counter-drone interceptor designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile UAVs. The Kaiden system provides a kinetic hard-kill solution for counter-UAS missions, complementing electronic warfare approaches. Secured a $10M export contract with a Middle Eastern country in 2025.

S20s Precision Strike Drone

S20s

One-way attack (OWA) precision strike drone designed for loitering munition missions. Features 110km operational range, 5kg warhead payload, autonomous swarm capability, and GPS/INS-guided terminal guidance. Designed for mass production at 30,000+ units per year following Pablo Air's 2026 merger with VOLK defense manufacturer.