Korean-Type Autonomous River Crossing Equipment 'Suryong' Deployed in Field Operations

Installation Time Reduced by 70%, Passing Load Increased by 10t

The Army announced on the 12th that it has operationalized the Korean-style self-propelled crossing equipment 'Suryong,' which will dramatically enhance its crossing operation capabilities, and has deployed it in combat to the 7th Mobile Corps.

Self-propelled crossing equipment is an amphibious device that moves in vehicle form and can transform into a bridge or raft shape when the military conducts crossing operations over rivers. The name Suryong means a dragon living in water, symbolizing the ground forces' ability to maneuver freely on land and underwater. Compared to existing crossing equipment, Suryong can reduce the number of operators by up to 80%, cut installation time by up to 70%, and increase the crossing weight from the previous 54 tons to 64 tons, an increase of 10 tons. Previously, about six hours of separate preparation time was required for pontoon installation, but Suryong requires no preparation time at all.

The maximum speed on land is 70 km/h. It has enhanced protection compared to existing equipment and is equipped with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protection gear to increase crew survivability, with 90% of its parts domestically produced.

At the operationalization event held at the crossing training ground of the 7th Engineer Brigade in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, six Suryong units were deployed under reconnaissance and scouting by attack and reconnaissance drones and aerial cover by Apache (AH-64E) helicopters, with K2 tanks crossing the river.

General Park An-su, Chief of Staff of the Army, who presided over the event, said, "Crossing capability is a crucial factor in securing battlefield initiative," adding, "Suryong, a weapon system that guarantees the rapid crossing of combat units, will improve attack speed and become a driving force for victory in ground warfare."