South Korean Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Sinnavuuty said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1578260326163750912

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THAAD has two modes. Forward-based and terminal. Forward-based mode is useless for terminal defense because of the extremely slow scanning rate. But it has a massive range in that mode. AFAIK China and South Korea had a deal to only have the TPY-2 at terminal mode. China's ESM assets can easily verify which mode it is working at. As long as it faces NK and is in terminal mode it is not a problem. If not starting selling some commercial equipment to North Korea would be a good statement.

BoraTas said:

THAAD has two modes. Forward-based and terminal. Forward-based mode is useless for terminal defense because of the extremely slow scanning rate. But it has a massive range in that mode. AFAIK China and South Korea had a deal to only have the TPY-2 at terminal mode. China's ESM assets can easily verify which mode it is working at. As long as it faces NK and is in terminal mode it is not a problem. If not starting selling some commercial equipment to North Korea would be a good statement.

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I think the second battery aims to increase the field of view, at the moment this field is limited to 120 degrees, North Korea could launch a SLBM outside the range of the AN/TPY-2 and also outside that field of view by configuring the surprise element. I would say that this recent development by South Korea will be almost limited because North Korea is already testing some irregular trajectory missiles, these are missiles that THAAD cannot intercept, even in the case of small and medium range missiles.

It took them about 15 years to built those 9 subs.

Big news for ROK military exports - first deliveries for Poland.

10 K2 tanks

and 24 K9 howitzers

Interesting. I think those are Korean spec K2. Not K2PL which were spoken of for Poland. Every white sheet and model of the K2PL showed 7 road wheels like Abrams or Leopard 2 this is as the PL version is supposed to have a longer hull with more armor. The K2 only has 6 road wheels like K1. As it’s lighter and smaller with less armor.

So much for that Krab artillery.

It shows how desperate the Poles are to get any tanks and artillery. They are accepting South Korean make models without any modifications. I would not be surprised if these were taken from Korean stocks and painted over or diverted from production for South Korea proper.

South Korea and Japan are the only US aligned nations producing new tanks in any meaningful amounts so the Poles have to get what they can. Any M1 tanks will be refurbs of older tanks. Same for the Leopard 2.

Copeium?
The ROK has been negotiating with Poland for adoption of new vehicles for some time. K9 is the most popular SPG on the planet now. The Krab is a hybrid a K9 hull with a British AS90 turret and Poland sent a number of them to Ukraine where they have apparently done some damage to Russian forces. Reports are that due to perceived need yes the ROK sent some of their K9 to Poland.
Poland was negotiating to procure Hundreds of Refurbished Abrams and new built K2PL. I know they have received 28 Abrams already. The 10 K2 also fit this future system as they they are is a start of the Polish army modernization. The Polish army is a bit weird half of it is NATO very German NATO the other half is Warsaw Pact. It’s kinda like the Western and Eastern German Armies but with the same chain of command under the same national government. In the NATO half isn’t basically a German army corps. Leopard 2s and Marders. On the Warsaw Pact side it’s PT90s (T72) and Bwp(BMP).
The Poles have been planning on retirement of the large stocks of Soviet era equipment. Retraining that half of the army into a NATO standard. Abrams and K2 were both part of that. The Soviet half has recently become a major supply hub for the Ukrainian forces. Poland has happily given large number of the older Soviet era stocks to the Ukrainians who can just jump in it and drive to the front.
Polish units whom were operating those stocks though can’t do the same for their replacements. So a training center and trainers is needed. Korean style K2 can be used as training vehicles for the eventual K2PL which is supposed to launch in 2025.

The Poles claimed the K9's artillery piece was not good enough for their needs and that is why they made that abortion the Krab with a UK turret with Korean chassis. But now they seem to be ok getting the plain K9.

The K2 is a great tank but it is poorly suited for a country like Poland. It was designed for mountain warfare against North Korean tanks. Poland is flat like a pool table.

The Polish MOD licensed and designed the Turret before they bought the Hull. They were originally planning to build their own hull and Chassis but then ended up buying K9 hulls.

K2 yes which is where K2PL comes in. Longer with heavier armor. But with production still in the future 2025. With us at the cusp of 2023. Now would be a good time to start training.
Poland does have mountains in the south.
K2 as is would probably be very good in Romanian to.