Lighter and Stronger: Artillery Continues to Evolve [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

A Look Inside Hyundai Wia's Changwon Plant
The Only Korean Manufacturer of Guns for Warships, Tanks, and Self-Propelled Howitzers

Ground weapons such as the K-9 self-propelled howitzer and the K-2 tank are regarded as premium exports of the 'K-Defense Industry.' Now, naval weapons, including warships, are also drawing attention as the second Trump administration begins. The core of these weapons is their guns. Guns mounted on ground weapons are called artillery, while those installed on warships are referred to as naval guns. Located in Changwon, Gyeongnam Province, Hyundai Wia produces all types of guns for both ground and naval weapons. In 1979, the company independently developed a 155mm howitzer. This 155mm howitzer is known as the KH179. 'KH' stands for Korean Howitzer, '1' signifies the first or the beginning, and '79' indicates the year 1979, when Korea rejected a U.S. proposal and embarked on independent development. It was essentially a declaration of independence in artillery development. To examine the current state of artillery in the Korean military, we visited Hyundai Wia in Changwon, Gyeongnam Province.

Hyundai Wia mounted a 105mm howitzer on a military vehicle with reduced weight while maintaining existing performance. It features a maximum of 10 rounds and a maximum range of 14.7 km. Photo by Hyundai Wia

Upon entering Plant 1, the scene resembled a weapons exhibition. Naval guns for warships, as well as artillery for the K-2 tank and K-9 self-propelled howitzer, were lined up. The first thing that caught the eye was a 76mm naval gun to be mounted on the Navy's guided-missile patrol gunboat (PKG). The serial number, marked as '#○○', indicated which unit it was. The naval gun for the new high-speed patrol boat, to be deployed starting next year, has been further enhanced. It can now fire 76mm armor-piercing high-explosive shells. These shells are designed to penetrate enemy vessels and then detonate inside. On the opposite side, assembly was underway for the Close-In Weapon System (CIWS-II) for warships. The CIWS, the last line of air defense for ships, is designed to intercept anti-ship missiles at close range in case other air defense systems, such as surface-to-air missiles, fail. It primarily uses autocannons to intercept incoming missiles. The Navy currently operates CIWS units such as Raytheon's Phalanx from the United States and Thales' Goalkeeper from the Netherlands. However, the need for improved performance and localization has arisen to counter the threat of North Korea's supersonic cruise missiles. The CIWS-II for warships is being developed in collaboration with LIG Nex1, with plans to complete development by 2027.

The company also performs depot maintenance, which refers to the repair and overhaul of naval guns. In 2003, Hyundai Wia equipped the 'Chungmugong Yi Sunshin,' Korea's first Aegis destroyer known as the 'Shield of God,' with the first domestically produced medium- to large-caliber naval gun. This 127mm caliber naval gun is known as the 'KMK 45.' After 12 years of service on the Yi Sunshin, the gun has returned to its birthplace for refurbishment. The KMK 45 boasts a range of 24 km, the longest in its class. Only about eight countries worldwide, including the United States, Japan, and Italy, are capable of independently producing medium- to large-caliber naval guns.

Lee Jihong, head manager of the Special Projects Team, said, "Unlike artillery for ground weapons, naval guns are inherently more complex in design. They typically weigh over 20 tons and use an automatic loading system, which naturally requires a greater number of parts."

On one side of the assembly area, small tactical vehicles equipped with guns were lined up. Recently, the key focus in artillery has been reducing the number of personnel required for operation and minimizing firing time. Previously, artillery crews would tow a 105mm howitzer with a 2.5-ton truck for firing. However, it took considerable time to prepare for live fire. Hyundai Wia has reduced the weight of the 105mm self-propelled howitzer. While the weight was reduced, the firepower remained unchanged. The system maintains the same level of performance as the existing 105mm howitzer, with a maximum firing rate of 10 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 14.7 km. The main challenge is the recoil generated during firing. Each shot from the 105mm howitzer produces a recoil force equivalent to 250 tons. To mitigate this impact, Hyundai Wia independently developed a recoil buffer system. This hydraulic shock absorber reduces the 250-ton recoil to less than 5 tons.

The vehicle itself remains undamaged. The vehicle equipped with the 105mm howitzer is operated alongside command and ammunition vehicles. Weighing 7 tons, it can be airlifted by a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter. The reduced weight also means fewer personnel are needed for operation, decreasing from six to four. The same applies to the vehicle-mounted 81mm mortar. By reducing its weight and mounting it on a vehicle, the time required for live fire has been shortened. Previously, setting up and firing an 81mm mortar on the ground took five minutes. However, with the application of an inertial navigation system, electric drive, and controller, this has been reduced to just 10 seconds. The number of operators has also been reduced from five to three. The tactical vehicle is also equipped with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), allowing machine gun fire from inside the vehicle. The lock-on function, which covers ballistic correction, tracking, and stabilization, enables accurate firing even while the vehicle is in motion. The monitor for the rear-seat remote control system provides a clear view of the situation ahead.

Mounting artillery on wheeled rather than tracked vehicles allows for faster movement. Immediate relocation after firing increases the survival chances of troops. According to the Agency for Defense Development, among self-propelled guns deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war, tracked 52-caliber artillery pieces had a damage rate of 27.8%, while wheeled 52-caliber artillery pieces showed a damage rate of only 8.8%.

Production of guns was also in full swing at Plant 2. At the entrance, a 76mm naval gun, a 105mm K-1 tank gun, and a 120mm K-2 tank gun were on display. As the caliber increases, so does the length of the gun. The 105mm K-1 tank gun is a rifled gun measuring 5.3 meters in length. The inside of the barrel has spiral grooves. When a shell is fired, it spins along these grooves, increasing accuracy. The 120mm K-2 tank gun is a smoothbore gun measuring 6.6 meters in length. It has no grooves inside. The shell utilizes its kinetic energy for a higher muzzle velocity. While rifled guns are declining, smoothbore guns have become the standard, thanks to advances in fire control systems that enhance accuracy.

The gun starts as a cylindrical piece of high-strength special steel, which is bored out using a straw-shaped deep-hole device. Boring a single barrel takes over three hours. For the 120mm K-2 tank gun, the original cylinder weighs 5 tons, but 3 tons are removed during the process. The bored barrel is then heat-treated to increase its strength, enabling it to withstand high temperatures and pressures.

Lee Young, executive director of the Special Propulsion Division, said, "Even a 0.05mm deviation inside the barrel or a 0.1mm bend in the barrel results in a defect. The 120mm 55-caliber barrel technology is unique to Germany and Korea."