South Korea weighs artillery support for Ukraine via US
The authorities in South Korea have expressed deep concern about the increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. They have started to consider a change in their approach to the war in Ukraine, which could involve sending South Korean weapons to the front. What kind of weapons specifically?
South Korean media report that the government plans to send a delegation to NATO to exchange information on the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Furthermore, Seoul is contemplating sending 155 mm artillery shells to the front. This would be in response to the presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine. It is emphasized that any reinforcements from South Korea would be provided to Ukraine not directly, but through the United States.
Ammunition from South Korea for Ukraine?
According to Global Firepower rankings, South Korea has the fifth most powerful army in the world. It is also noted as one of the largest 155 mm artillery ammunition producers.
The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that artillery ammunition is a critical resource in combat. At present, the defending army facing Russia relies on supplies from NATO, which are insufficient.
155 mm artillery shells are essential for the operation of modern NATO artillery that has reached the front. This includes, among others, Krab howitzers from Poland, CAESAR from France, and Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) from Germany.
South Korean arms factories manufacture various types of 155 mm artillery shells. These include basic ones containing 6.6 kg of TNT, capable of hitting targets up to approximately 30 km away, as well as shells with cluster warheads or those with gas generators, which have an extended range.
Additionally, South Korea holds 105 mm artillery ammunition, which would also be highly useful for the Ukrainian army.
It appears less probable that, should there be a shift in approach to the war in Ukraine, heavy military equipment would be the first type of support sent from South Korea. However, the Ukrainian portal Defence Express suggested that in such a scenario, favourites would likely include T-80U tanks and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, which are no longer crucial to the South Korean army.
