K136_Kooryong

K136 Kooryong

K136 Kooryong

South Korean multiple rocket launcher

The K136 Kooryong (Romanization: K136 'Gu-ryong'; Hangul: K136 '구룡'; Hanja: K136 '九龍') is a South Korean 36 extended rocket artillery system that was deployed in 1981.[1]

Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...

History

K136 Kooryong northwest island maritime firing exercise of South Korean Army
Firing Exercise Multiple Rocket Launcher, Republic of Korea Army 8th Corps.

The K136 Kooryong 36 extended multiple rocket launcher (MRL) began research and development in 1973 at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) as a means of responding to the BM-21 122 mm multiple rocket launcher possessed by North Korea, and was performance tested in 1978, and the K136 was deployed in 1981.[1] Later, the improved K136A1, which added a stainless steel launch tube and hydraulic system, was deployed to the South Korean Army from 1987 to 1991, and the K33 and K38 rockets with ranges of 36 km and 30 km were developed in 1988.[1] Called Kooryong, the weapons system was designed, tested, and manufactured in Korea for field artillery and artillery. Daewoo Heavy Industries is in charge of production and the rocket was developed by Hanwha.

Possible transfer to the Philippine Army

The Philippine Army has negotiated with the South Korean government for the transfer of its MLRS launchers for the newly activated MLRS Battalions of the Army Artillery Regiment. Three batteries of K136 Kooryong MLRS from South Korea were expected to be delivered in 2020.[2] Delivery of the units has been delayed several times.[3][4]

Design

The multiple rocket launcher has 36 tubes[5] and fires K30 130 mm and K33 131 mm rockets.[1][6] There are also improved high explosive K37 rockets for better performance and pre-fragmented HE K37 rockets with warheads containing 16,000 steel balls.[1] The launcher is carried on a KM809AL 6x6 truck.[6]

Operators

Failed bids

  •  Philippines: Four batteries worth of units were expected to be delivered with three batteries to be established under the Philippine Army and one under the Philippine Marine Corps with two of the batteries obtained through a donation from South Korea.[8][9][10] However, in 2023, Philippines stopped pursuing the procurement of South Korea's reserve K136 Kooryong systems and decided to instead focus on acquiring a more modern system. The K239 Chunmoo, which is the successor of the older K136 Kooryong, is one of the three systems participating in the new MLRS proucrement program.[11]

See also

  • K239 Chunmoo - South Korean multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) developed to replace K136 Kooryong.

References

  1. [1]
    Lee Chiheon (12 August 2019). "견인포 같은 K136A1 구룡 다련장 로켓포" (in Korean). Defense Today. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  2. [2]
    "Philippine Army to receive K136 Kooryong MLRS from South Korea". Army Recognition. 29 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  3. [3]
    Mangosing, Frances (2021-11-11). "PH military to boost arsenal with South Korean hardware". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2021-11-12.
  4. [4]
    Nepomuceno, Priam (27 April 2022). "South Korea-donated rocket system expected this June". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. [5]
    Pike, John. "Kooryong". www.globalsecurity.org.
  6. [6]
    "K136 Kooryong Multiple Launch Rocket System". Military Today. Archived from the original on 2019-10-18. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  7. [7]
    "Army Equipment- Egypt". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  8. [8]
    Nepomuceno, Priam (August 14, 2019). "Army to activate Aviation Regiment within this year". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  9. [9]
    Mangosing, Frances (October 3, 2019). "Philippine Army to acquire rocket systems from South Korea". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  10. [10]
    "Discussing the K-136 Kooryong MLRS Acquisition of the Philippine Armed Forces". Pitz Defense Analysis. November 17, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  11. [11]
    "K239 Chunmoo - A Potential and Cheaper HIMARS Alternative for the Philippine Army". Pitz Defense Analysis. 21 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
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