[Defense Contribution] The 2nd Rapid Response Division Marks Its 1st Anniversary

A model of the Korean-style air assault armored vehicle proposed by Kia Motors. It is based on Germany's Wiesel II light armored vehicle.

[Monthly Defense Times Editor-in-Chief An Seung-beom]In modern battlefields where powerful firepower and rapid mobility determine the outcome of combat, a unit dedicated to air maneuver operations using helicopters has been established. The Army has marked one year since the creation of the ‘Korean-style Rapid Response Division’ under the Mobile Corps, pursuing rapid deep maneuver following tank-centered mobile divisions.

▲The Birth Process of the Korean-style Rapid Response Division= In 1999, our military established the Aviation Operations Command to integrate and command the Army’s aviation power, operating the 1st Air Assault Brigade as a direct unit specialized in air assault operations. However, due to difficulties in securing helicopter assets, the brigade was not fully operationalized.

On April 20, 1999, the Aviation Command was expanded into the Aviation Operations Command, and all aviation units that were directly under corps-level commands were transferred under the Aviation Operations Command. These units were then assigned to field armies and corps for operation. The 203rd Special Assault Brigade was subordinated to the Aviation Operations Command as a direct unit to conduct independent air assault operations, leading to the establishment of the 1st Air Assault Brigade.

However, due to a shortage of various helicopter assets required for air assault operations, the brigade was reverted in 2005 back to the 203rd Special Assault Brigade under the 2nd Operations Command.

Since 2017, as part of Defense Reform 2.0, the Army has pursued the reorganization of armored forces and established a helicopter-centric rapid response division capable of deep maneuver in enemy territory. The 2nd Division, previously a general infantry division under the 3rd Corps stationed in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, was reorganized into a rapid response division. The existing 201st and 203rd Special Assault Brigades were subordinated to it, and in January 2021, the 2nd Rapid Response Division was established. Subsequently, it became part of the 7th Corps, a mobile corps, and the names of the 201st and 203rd Special Assault Brigades were changed to Rapid Response Brigades.

As of November, only the division headquarters exists, with no substantial combat power or operational plans prepared. During peacetime, the 201st and 203rd Rapid Response Brigades remain under the operational control of the 2nd Operations Command and primarily conduct counter-infiltration missions. Wartime missions will be set in consultation with the U.S. military.

▲New Helicopter Assets= The military is currently conducting the Large Mobility Helicopter II project to introduce 17 new aircraft, with full operational capability expected by 2032. Additionally, 12 special operations aircraft will be separately procured around the same period. The leading candidate is expected to be the latest CH-47F Block II model of the CH-47.

Furthermore, additional procurement of AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters is underway, but full operational capability is expected by 2028, meaning it will take a long time before these become actual assets of the Rapid Response Division.

▲Korean-style Airborne Armored Vehicle= Air assault operations fundamentally rely on helicopters, but once troops disembark and deploy on the battlefield, they encounter various forms of enemy forces.

The Rapid Response Division has raised the need for lightweight armored vehicles for air transport, primarily using new large mobility helicopters. Due to aircraft payload limitations, vehicle size and weight are restricted, and factors such as terrain, weather, enemy conditions, and the risks of airborne insertion increase equipment loss rates, necessitating the separate development and operation of air-transportable vehicles.

The Rapid Response Division decided to develop a Korean-style airborne armored vehicle transportable by large CH-47F-class helicopters, but the project has been delayed due to the establishment of operational requirements (ROC).

The Korean-style airborne armored vehicle is being developed as a tracked light armored vehicle to carry troops of the special assault brigades under the Rapid Response Division and to perform missions such as capturing strategic areas deep in enemy territory. After requirements verification in 2022 and feasibility studies and budget allocation from 2023, system development is planned to begin after 2024, followed by mass production.

Multiple companies will compete to participate in the Korean-style airborne armored vehicle project, but as of November 2021, Kia Defense Division is known to be leading the effort enthusiastically. Kia plans to produce the Wiesel armored vehicle under technology transfer in partnership with Germany’s Rheinmetall, based on the Wiesel II with a combat weight of 4.8 tons.

Until now, our military had neglected air maneuver operations using large mobility helicopters, but under Defense Reform 2.0, it has embarked on concrete force planning demanding powerful firepower and rapid mobility.

However, since key force elements must be secured, it does not seem easy to fully operate the division properly over the next 7 to 8 years. The Rapid Response Brigades will mainly conduct counter-infiltration missions under the operational control of the 2nd Operations Command for several years to come.

The 2nd Rapid Response Division will fully operationalize newly procured large mobility helicopters, large attack helicopters, LAH light combat helicopters, and airborne armored vehicles after 2025, carrying challenges that require significant costs and time.