Korean Small Arms and Infantry Weapons

Korean Small Arms and Infantry Weapons: K1 Submachine Gun, K14 Sniper Rifle, K2 Assault Rifle and 5 more. Specs, manufacturers, and export history.

Systems

Export Contracts

Buyer Countries

Manufacturers

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Small Arms Systems (8)

K1 Submachine Gun

K1A

S&T Motiv

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.

In service since 1981

K14 Sniper Rifle

K14

S&T Motiv

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.

In service since 1995

K2 Assault Rifle

K2 / K2C1

S&T Motiv

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.

In service since 1984

K201 Grenade Launcher

K201

Dasan Machine

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.

In service since 1984

K3 Light Machine Gun

S&T Motiv

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.

In service since 1990

K4 Automatic Grenade Launcher

Dasan Machine

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.

In service since 1992

K5 Pistol

S&T Motiv

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.

In service since 1989

K6 Heavy Machine Gun

S&T Motiv

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.

In service since 1988

Latest Small Arms News

Korean defense majors converge on MSPO 2026 in Kielce to push air defense, lasers, and MRO packages to NATO buyers

South Korea's leading defense companies are exhibiting at MSPO 2026, one of Europe's three largest defense shows, held September 8-11 in Kielce, Poland. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems share a 274-square-meter booth under the slogan "Proven Partnership, Strategic Capabilities, Sovereign Defence," showing a multi-layered air defense lineup (L-SAM, H-SHORAD, H-Shield counter-drone, 40mm unmanned air defense), laser weapons including the Cheonkwang anti-aircraft laser and 50kW and 20kW mobile laser vehicles, the K9A2 howitzer, K-NIFV, unmanned ground systems, and the Striker-S unmanned surface vessel with a Chunmoo launcher; Hanwha Systems will demonstrate an AI satellite-imagery analysis solution on September 9. LIG Defense & Aerospace is presenting Cheongung-II, L-SAM, and the KGGB guided glide bomb, targeting Poland's multi-layered air defense and precision-munitions programs. SNT Dynamics and SNT Motiv are showing a 120mm vehicle-mounted mortar, a three-barrel 20mm remote weapon station, a 1,500-1,700 hp tank powerpack, and small arms including the K2C, K16, and K4, pitching integrated MRO and product-support packages. Hyundai Rotem is attending for the fifth consecutive year and KAI is also present, with the Korean delegation expected to review K2, K9, and FA-50 contract execution and expanded post-sale support with Polish counterparts.

Sep 7, 2026 | Seoul Economic Daily / edaily / etoday / Financial News

MSPO Poland Hanwha Aerospace Hanwha Systems