List of Equipment of The Republic of Korea Army

List Of Equipment Of The Republic Of Korea Army

The defense industry of South Korea, initially small in size and strategic scope at early point of its development, has steadily expanded its areas of competence over the years to become one of the largest and most self-sufficient defense industries in the modern world. Until the mid-1960s, Korea depended completely upon military aid and equipment from the United States for arming its military. By 1990, Korea began producing most of its military equipment such as weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and vehicles through indigenous industrial endeavor, with self-sufficiency reaching 70% of all defense purchases. In 2006, top ten South Korean defence contractors' sales reached $4.9 billion, representing 77.1 percent of all defence purchases in South Korea in the year. Domestic defense production eventually increased to $6.6 billion in 2008 when the self-sufficiency of the domestic defense industry exceeded 80%, with a goal to increase total domestic defense production to $10 billion in 2020 by engaging in more export-oriented activities, $6 billion of which will be maintained for the domestic market.

For complete ground weapon systems, Hyundai Rotem builds tanks such as K1 and K2 tanks, Samsung Techwin self-propelled howitzers such as K9, and Doosan DST armored vehicles such as K200 and K21. Kia Motors has traditionally specialized in the production of wheeled military vehicles. It also produced towed artillery systems as well as multiple-launch rocket systems. Hanwha and Poongsan are other conglomerates that have deep connections to the defense industry by being major suppliers of ammunition and explosives. LIG Nex1 and Samsung Thales, the two largest defense companies in South Korea, are the main developers and producers of precision electronic systems. Their main products include core components for missiles and torpedoes, such as seekers and other guidance systems, and surveillance and tracking radars, optics, avionics, battle management systems, electronic support and warfare systems, frequency-hopping radios, and tactical communication systems. Korea Aerospace Industries and Korean Air fabricate components and spare parts for the aircraft of the army, and also build complete aircraft such as UH-60P and KAI Surion helicopters and UAVs.