SEOUL -- South Korea has succeeded in the development of a 155-millimeter diameter extended-range cannon artillery system. The technology, developed by domestic ammunition producer Poonsgsan, can increase the range of current projectiles by 30 percent or more.
To extend the range, the 155 mm range extension project incorporated base bleed technology, designed for drag reduction of shells, and a rocket-assisted projectile. According to Poongsan, the existing range of about 40 kilometers (24.9 miles) was improved to a maximum of 60 kilometers.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state arms procurement agency, said on February 6 that the agency partnered with Poongsan for the mass production of the 155 mm extended-range artillery shell. DAPA Minister Eom Dong-hwan said the extended-range shell could present opportunities for South Korea to push for its exports, particularly in connection with the K9 self-propelled howitzer.
Hanwha Aerospace, a defense solution flagship of South Korea's Hanwha Group, signed a basic contract with Poland's defense ministry in July 2022 for the export of 672 K9 self-propelled howitzers. As of December last year, Hanwha Aerospace also secured a secondary export contract worth 3.4 trillion won ($2.6 billion).
Poongsan has secured its exclusive position in the domestic military ammunition market since it jumped into the production of bullets and artillery shells in 1973. The company, also known for its fabricated non-ferrous metal products, now produces almost all types of ammunition used by South Korean troops.
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