[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] 'Luxury Weapons' Fallen into Mirage... Time for a 'Tomahawk Strategy'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] Is the 'luxury weapon' promoted by the military ultimately a 'dream weapon'? Since the K-11 combined rifle project was halted last year, sighs have been pouring out both inside and outside the military regarding domestic weapon system research and development.

The K-11 is an advanced weapon that simultaneously uses rifle bullets (caliber 5.56mm) and airburst rounds (20mm), and it was the first of its kind developed in the world by South Korea. While ADD (Agency for Defense Development) led the project, the rifle body was developed by S&T Motiv, the fire control system by EOSYSTEM, and the airburst rounds by Hanwha.

However, with the project halted, companies face hundreds of millions of won in development costs invested in the K-11 turning into losses. Ultimately, the companies have no choice but to proceed with lawsuits. Because of this, a delicate standoff has also emerged between the military and the companies. Recently, officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) reportedly visited defense companies involved in the K-11 rifle development project to investigate the extent of the companies' damages.

In addition to research expenses for developing the K-11, companies have piles of pre-purchased parts. The companies contracted in May 2010 to supply about 4,100 units to the military. By 2013, 914 units had been delivered. However, defects occurred during this period, and the project was halted. The companies had already purchased parts for the remaining contract quantity of about 3,200 units.

According to last year's Board of Audit and Inspection results, DAPA purchased a large quantity of airburst rounds used in the K-11 rifle despite unresolved issues with cracks in the fire control system of the K-11 rifles between 2015 and 2016, making the use of the airburst rounds uncertain.

Some argue that rather than halting the K-11 combined rifle project, it should be steadily upgraded to develop into a luxury weapon.

The U.S. Tomahawk missile is a representative example. The Tomahawk was first deployed in 1983. The initial model could only strike pre-programmed targets. However, through performance upgrades, it transformed into a strategic missile capable of attacking arbitrarily designated targets.

During the Gulf War, 288 Tomahawks were launched, and in the 2001 Afghanistan invasion and 2003 Iraq invasion, the U.S. and the U.K. fired over 800 Tomahawks to neutralize key facilities. On the first day of the 2011 Libya airstrike operation, 124 missiles were launched at critical targets from cruise missile-equipped attack submarines (SSGN). In April 2017, the U.S. retaliated against the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons by deploying two destroyers, USS Ross and USS Porter, to launch 59 missiles at the Shayrat Airbase in Syria, destroying more than 20 Syrian aircraft and neutralizing key facilities such as runways, hangars, and ammunition depots.

As the performance of the Tomahawk missile was proven, continuous upgrades were made. Currently, the missile, guided by the Global Positioning System (GPS) and flying at subsonic speeds (890 km/h), is mainly launched from submarines and destroyers, maintaining an altitude of 30 meters and capable of striking targets up to 2,500 km away with pinpoint accuracy. The 'Block IV' model, deployed in 2004, improved bidirectional data links for in-flight target reprogramming and terrain navigation systems. Recently, a system was added allowing the Tomahawk missile to loiter near the target until the optimal strike time. Additionally, the 'Tomahawk Tactical Weapon Control System' (TTWCS) has also been upgraded.

A defense industry expert said, "Government agencies that promoted the K-11 combined rifle did not impose disciplinary actions even when soldiers were injured in accidents in 2011 and 2014," adding, "They are only playing a role in evading responsibility through a government-led project structure."