[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Military 155mm Shells Won't Last a Month in War

63% of Required Ammunition Secured for 30-Day War
Marine Corps 155mm Stockpiled Ammunition at 21% Level

Our military has been found to have an extremely insufficient supply of artillery shells for use in wartime situations. Considering the shortage to the extent that shells had to be borrowed from neighboring countries during the Israel war following Ukraine, there are calls to expedite the securing of reserve ammunition.

According to the Joint Strategic Operational Plan (JSOP) on the 27th, only 63% of the 155mm base bleed high-explosive (BB) shells required for a 30-day war have been secured, and if the war continues for 45 days, the amount is calculated to be about 54%, which is half the required amount. In the case of the 155mm high-explosive shells held by the Marine Corps, the shells available for 30 days of wartime use amount to only 21.3% of the required shells. The JSOP contains the military's defense goals, military strategies, and mid- to long-term plans for weapon acquisition, and is prepared annually.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, it has been confirmed that the 155mm shells were not even reflected in next year's budget proposal.

Accordingly, defense company Poongsan succeeded this year in extending the range of 155mm shells used in K9 self-propelled howitzers, but is now in a situation where it cannot even produce them. Poongsan has already expanded its production facilities to increase annual production from 76,000 rounds to 100,000 rounds starting next year. The range of the mass-produced shells used in the existing K9 was about 40 km, but the newly developed extended-range shells reach about 60 km. The 155mm shells have attracted great interest in the Middle East region, making them a promising item for defense exports. Korea Defense Industries (KDI), which produces 239mm cluster guided munitions, has only been able to produce about 120 rounds over two years and is in urgent need of budget. A military official said, “We plan to make efforts to procure reserve ammunition early according to the required quantities by military branch and ammunition type.”