South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) reported that the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) has begun deploying an upgraded version of its locally developed 81 mm mortar system. The project to develop the advanced mortar system, which began in December 2014 led by South Korean defense company Hyundai WIA, was completed recently and the weapon meets all military requirements. The upgraded and digitalized version of the 81-millimeter mortar system, with its own technology, that boasts improved fire speed and accuracy. the new mortar reduced weight by 20 percent and the number of operating personnel from five to four.
Compared with its previous version, the new 81-mm mortar-II system is about 20 percent lighter, and can be more swiftly transported thanks to its own carriers. Featuring laser and global positioning system (GPS) technologies, the advanced mortar can automatically calculate and transmit firing information, which improves the speed and accuracy of its shelling. The existing version employs the manual input and transmission system. An 81 mm mortar is a smooth-bore, muzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used for long-range indirect fire support to light infantry and airborne units across the entire front of a battalion zone of influence.
Soldiers test-fire a newly developed 81-mm mortar, in this photo provided by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Aug. 29, 2019./caption]
