Should South Korea be added to the game?- Yes
- No
Welcome, today I’m going to present to you my idea for the South Korean Ground Forces Tech Tree. This tech tree is going to be similar to the Israeli tech tree, in which you do not have the lower tiers and simply start around tier 4 when South Korea starts to have unique vehicles. Since we already have Israel in game with a shortened tech tree, I believe that it only makes sense that for a nation like South Korea, where their entire early tiers would be made out of only imports with zero domestic vehicles, they would have a shorter than normal tech tree.
To start off on why I suggest a smaller tech tree, even though there are enough vehicles for a larger one, let’s learn about the basic history of South Korea, and why it wouldn’t fit as a sub tree of Japan. The Korean Empire was founded in 1897 as a mark of independence from the Chinese. In the year 1910, it was transferred to Japan by treaty, and to further strengthen its hold on Korea started trying to destroy Korean culture. In the year of 1945, Korea was released from Japan due to the end of World War 2, and was split into two halves; North and South Korea, controlled respectively by the Soviets in the north and the United States in the south. In the year of 1948, they had their own government established. The northern part became the North Korea we all know today, and the south became The First Republic of Korea. Shortly after, in 1950, the Korean War began. During this time it was the Chinese/Soviet Union supported north vs the United States backed south. Long story short for the war, it ended* (according to documentation they are still currently at war) in a stale mate where both the countries borders sit today. In the year 1960 they became the South Korea we know today. Their first non-import armoured vehicle was designed and produced in 1985, being the K55 SPG.
The origin of the South Korea we have today, proves pretty well that having them as a sub-tree of Japan would be very disrespectful, as would having it merged with North Korea, a country they are currently at war with. This also helps to explain as to why having the South Korean tech tree start at around tier 4 as opposed to tier 1 makes sense, as they didn’t have their own production vehicles until the end of the cold war. Though this may seem like they wouldn’t have many vehicles, they have been an extremely active nation in strengthening their military. Over the course of just a few decades, they have developed over half a dozen armoured vehicles with dozens of variations between them, which means while early on the tech tree will be mostly comprised of imports, it will slowly turn into an almost completely South Korean tech tree.
Tech Tree:
Here I will provide a list of vehicles, which will be first separated by tier, and will then be separated by line. Line 1 will be Light Tanks/IFV’s, Line 2 will be Medium Tanks/MBT’s, Line 3 will be SPAA, and finally Line 4 will be TD/ATGM Specialized Vehicles.
Vehicles with (*) next to their names are vehicles that could be added at a later date or not included at all due to either being close enough to other vehicles or being too modern for the game.
Vehicles:
Spoiler
Tier 4
Spoiler
Light Tanks/IFV’s
KW1/K808 Tarantula
The K808 Tarantula is a development of the K808 Armoured Personnel Carrier chassis that gave it an independent turret housing a 90mm Low-Pressure Cannon. Developed and produced in South Korea and later exported to Indonesia, the 90mm turret has a 2 man crew and is equipped with an advanced autoloader. Its 90mm Low-Pressure Cannon allows the vehicle to fit into more of a Infantry Support role, as it can engage not only groups of infantry but also buildings and fortifications. The 90mm also allows it to engage lightly armoured vehicles, as well as soft skinned vehicles (such as the HMMWV). With a high power to weight and top speed, as well as the ability to be amphibious, this would provide a good starting point for players in the tree, as it would introduce them to the Korean wheeled vehicles, which they will continue to see throughout the tree.
Specifications:
Pictures:
Medium Tanks/MBT’s
M47
The Korean M47 was a simple import of the American M47 for use during the Korean war, and uses the same systems as the original American variant.
Pictures:
M48A3K
The South Korean variant of the M48 while carrying the same gun as the original, has ditched the old FCS for a newer Laser Tank Fire Control System. The FCS allowed for the M48A3K to engage targets at a significantly farther range than the original M48, which would allow the M48A3K to compete with early MBT’s like the Centurion Mk 10 at range. The other changes to the vehicle are the T shaped muzzle brake attached to the end of the 90mm cannon, a diesel engine as opposed to the original gasoline one, and a set of smoke dischargers on the turret. This tank would be the first in a line of tanks modified/created in South Korea for their own use.
Specifications are not well known, past it having the rangefinder and an improved engine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHQSMmwrH84
Pictures:
SPAA
K263 SPAAG
The K263 SPAAG is the first in a series of SPAAG using the K200 chassis. This one utilizes the KM167A1 20mm rotary cannon, which is a South Korean version of the M167 Vulcan. It has a good top speed and acceleration, making it an ideal platform for short range aa support. Apart from the 20mm the front of the vehicle is armoured enough to withstand heavy machine gun fire, making it more effective than other soft skinned vehicles.
Specifications:
Pictures:
TD/ATGM Carrier
K116
The K-116 is the 106mm Recoilless Rifle version of the K-111. The K-111 is a South Korean improvement made from the American M606 Willis Jeep, making it a cheap but effective tool for anti tank during the period.
Pictures:
Tier 5
Spoiler
Light Tanks/IFV’s
KAFV 25
There is not much known about the KAFV 25, as it was not in the forefront of design, and the little data I could get didn’t provide much knowledge on the vehicle. What we do know is that it uses the KBA 25mm cannon, and is used on the K200 IFV chassis. Given what kind of 25mm it is, we could estimate it to be somewhat similar to the gun used on the Dardo in game.
Pictures:
Medium Tanks/MBT’s
M48A5K2
The M48A5K2 is the final stage in the evolution of the M48 in the South Korean Military. They replaced the 90mm gun with the South Korean 105mm KM68A1 cannon, which fires rounds similar to those of the Leopard 1a5, and with an advanced FCS allows it to engage targets at the longest range of any M48 variant. However, even though it is highly advanced, it still lacks a stabilized gun, which makes it extremely impractical for engaging targets within close range, especially when those you are facing at the same BR will likely have stabilizers. other improvements of the M48A5K2 are steel side skirts, as well as a low profile cupola for the commander, significantly lowering the overall profile of the vehicle, and replacing it with an Urdan cupola with an M60 machine gun. While it does have the potential to fire strong ammunition, the lack of stabilizer would really hold this tank back in aggressive playstyles.
Pictures:
XK1
The XK1 is the prototype that was later developed into the K1. The XK1 started development in 1980, under care of General Dynamics Land Systems. It was similar to the XM1, but was lighter, smaller, and used a weaker but more cost efficient AVCR-1790 engine. Paired with the ZF LSG 3000 transmission, while it would be slower than the later K1, it still proved to be an extremely quick and nimble vehicle. The cannon was the same one used on the M48A5K2; the 105mm KM86A1, guided by the Hughes Aircraft FCS, and Nd:YAG laser rangefinder. This tank was a large improvement over the M48A5K2 in everyway from turret armour to speed to hull armour, but the biggest improvement was the inclusion of a stabilizer which allowed the vehicle to fire on the move.
Not many specifications are available as it was a prototype produced in minimal numbers, and was quickly superseded by the K1.
Pictures:
SPAA
K263A3 SPAAG
The K263A3 SPAAG is an improvement over the K263A1 (henceforth referred to as A1 and A3 for simplicity) by providing a higher generation stabilizer as well as an improved FCS to assist target acquisition and elimination. It is also implemented on the improved K200A1 chassis , which provides a better engine and transmission, as well as an automated fire extinguishing system.
Pictures:
TD/ATGM Carrier
K-113 (BGM-71 TOW)
The K-113 is a model of the K-111 mentioned previously, but instead of having a 106mm recoiless gun mounted on it, it instead has the BGM-71 TOW missile launcher, which gives it long range anti tank capabilities. This vehicle would be fast, and could have a large variation in BR’s depending on what versions of the TOW are made available to the vehicle.
Pictures:
Tier 6
Spoiler
Light Tanks/IFV’s
K21
The K21 is South Korea’s current IFV deployed with their forces. It features a state of the art S&T Dynamics K40 40mm cannon capable of firing APDS, HE, and APFSDS. When it first started production in 2009, it was still without its ATGM the AT-1K, also known as the ‘Raybolt.’ this ATGM is fire and forget, and wouldn’t be healthy for the game as of right now, so I am suggesting this similar to that of the PUMA already in game, where it only has the 40mm autocannon. Even without the missile however, this vehicle proves to be extremely capable. The 40mm auto cannon can shred lightly armoured targets as well as soft skinned targets. Weighing in at only 25 tons with an engine of 680 hp, this vehicle would have a HP/Ton ratio of 27.2, making it one of the fastest vehicles in the game.
Specifications:
Pictures:
K21 (105 Light Tank)
The K21 was also developed to fit the role of a light tank. With similar characteristics of the K21 from above, the K21-105 is extremely agile while also carrying a modern 105mm main gun. Capable of firing all modern 105mm NATO ammunition, this vehicle would prove to be a threat to any tank it faces. Other things this vehicle has over other 105mm Modern Tank Destroyers however, is the fact it can fire the 105mm Falarick GLATGM
Specifications:
Pictures:
Medium Tanks/MBT’s
K1
The K1 88 MBT was the first in the line of South Korean designed MBT’s. It has many similarities to the XM1, but just as many differences. The turret uses and improved composition over the XM1, and a different hull. The hull is comprised of composite armour in the front, as well as rigid side skirts on the sides to protect against RPG’s. The engine is significantly different in the K1, replacing the massive gas turbine 1,500 hp Honeywell AGT1500C chosen for the Abrams with a much more practical MTU MB Ka-501, the compact version of the 1,500 hp MB-873 Ka-503 that was equipped on the Leopard 2. The transmission is the ZF LSG 3000 with 4 Forward gears and 2 Reverse gears. Because of this powertrain, the Power to Weight ratio of the K1 was a very respectable 23.4 hp/ton, allowing the vehicle to cruise at 65km/h on the road, or 40 km/h on all terrains. The massive thing for the K1 and K2, versus most other MBT’s was the inclusion of hydropneumatic suspension, allowing the tank’s hull to go from +20 degrees all the way down to -9.7 degrees, which gave the K1 a massive advantage over different terrains.
The 105mm Rifled Cannon on the K1 was the main armament, which had the ability to stow 47 rounds between the turret and hull, with blowout panels for both storages. The Gunner had a thermal sight, however the commander didn’t even have a night vision sight, forcing him to use Night Vision Goggles.
Specifications:
Pictures:
K1A1
The K1A1 was a further improvement on the original K1 in every single way. It replaced the outdated commander optics with modern Thermal Imaging sights, allowing the commander to see in night without needing his own goggles, as well as an improved FCS similar to that of the Leopard 2 from Germany, which gave it a 90%+ first hit changes in all weathers, and gave it improved gun stabilization. The main change however was the new 120mm KM256 Smoothbore Cannon based on the Rheinmetall L/44, which allowed it to fire most NATO ammunition. The gun had a larger thermal sleeve, and had changes made to the turret to work better with the 120mm main gun. This caused the tank to weigh slightly more and cost twice as much over the original K1, but was seen as enough of an improvement to warrant the cost.
Specifications:
Pictures:
SPAA
K-808 30mm
The K-808 30mm was an improvement program for the K-808 to allow it to fill the role of short range anti air support. It has a tracking radar to help guide its twin 30mm autocannons, which allow it to shred aircraft while also being a major threat to lightly armoured vehicles.
Pictures:
K30 Biho SHORAD
The K-30 Biho SHORAD is one of the best AA systems South Korea has. Using the tried and true K200 chassis, it uses twin radar guided 30mm cannons, along with an advanced search radar to track down and eliminate targets at close range. For longer range targets, the SHORAD version of the K30 Biho uses the KP-SAM, giving it a maximum range of 7km to engage targets, making it just as deadly as any other SAM at the higher tiers.
Specifications are similar to that of the K21, but with the twin 30mm.
Pictures:
TD/ATGM Carrier
K200 METIS-M
The K200 METIS-M is just the K200 chassis with a METIS-M mounted on it. Not much else to say.
Pictures:
Tier 7
Spoiler
Light Tanks/IFV’s
K21 (AT-1K Raybolt) *
This is the currently deployed K21 Variant for the South Korean Military. Equipped with their tried and true 40mm autocannon, and the AT-1K Raybolt F&F ATGM, I doubt there is any need for me to explain why this vehicle deserves to be at the top of the tree, and would be the most deadly vehicle in the game versus any threat it could possibly face.
Pictures:
K21 (120mm)
The K21 (120mm) was a prototype developed in a combined effort between CMI Defense and Doosan DST, where they proposed the Cockerill 120mm High Pressure Gun to be mounted onto the K21 chassis, similar to that of the K21 (105). This was an improved version, and had a gun comparable to that of the L/55, with the capability of firing the Cockerill Falarick 120mm GLATGM, extending its effective range against armoured targets all the way to 5km.
Pictures:
Medium Tanks/MBT’s
K1A2 *
The K1A2 owes a lot of its development to the K2 Black Panther. It was developed from the K1E1 upgrade program and while not as significant as a change as the K1 to K1A1 or K1A1 to K2, it still proves to be a very worthwhile change. The gun and FCS stayed the same, but it has an entirely improved GPS coordination system, as well as soft kill protection vs missiles and rockets from both the ground and the air, making it impervious to most missiles currently in the game.
Pictures:
K2 Black Panther
The Legendary K2 Black Panther is a tank that I feel needs little introduction, but I shall do my best to explain. The K2 black panther while looking similar to the previous K1 MBT, changes almost everything about it. The K2 holds highly advanced composite armour able to hold up to almost all ammunition that can be fired at the turret, as well as a highly protected hull. The armour isn’t the only thing that the K2 has however, as it also has the indigenously created Soft Kill protection system which protects it from most modern ATGM’s and Missiles from both the air and the ground, similar to that on the K1A2.The gun has been improved from the L/44 to the High Pressure L/55, which gives the tank an impressive increase in firepower. It carries with it an Improved FCS, as well as Generation 3 thermals for both the commander and gunner, along with hunter killer capabilities. One of the most impressive parts of the vehicle actually comes with its ammunition however, as it carries a 120mm ‘artillery’ round, that once fired in the general area of an enemy tank, will track scan for thermal signatures and seek out the enemy vehicle, before engaging and destroying it from the top down.
Along with the improved gun, it has a new powerplant in the Doosan Infracore Corporation 1500 hp supercharged Diesel engine. This makes the K2 an extremely agile tank on the battlefield, which in addition to its lower profile vs most other MBT’s fielded by NATO, makes it one of the best MBT in the world.
Specifications:
Pictures:
SPAA
K-SAM Pegasus
The K-SAM Pegasus is South Korea’s ultimate form of SRAAM. Fired from the same platform as the crotale, it uses the improved South Korean K-SAM missile, which is effective at up to 10 kilometers. With a top speed of 1,200m/s, this missile is extremely deadly for any aircraft, and provides danger to anyone that approaches.
Pictures:
TD/ATGM Carrier
Kia Light Tactical Vehicle/K151 (AT-1K Raybolt) *
The Kia Light Tactical Vehicle (KLTV)/K151 is a lightly armoured 4x4 vehicle that is used for taking out armoured threats with the AT-1K Raybolt. While the platform is just an improved HMMWV, the AT-1K missile is more than enough to make up for it. With F&F capabilities, this vehicle would be a threat to any tank without APS as it has no problem ignoring the soft kill protection systems already in the game.
Pictures:
Rotem Jupiter *
The Rotem Jupiter is the final evolution of the K808 chassis, housing an unmanned, High Pressure 120mm, autoreloading turret, it is capable of dispatching any threat that is thrown at it in modern times, and with the K808 chassis can move about the battlefield faster than any other vehicle. There isn’t much to say about the Rotem Jupiter, as almost everything is still classified about the vehicle.
Specifications:
Pictures:
And just like that, there is my idea for the entirety of the Shortened South Korean Ground Tech Tree. The premium vehicles I feel like aren’t something that would be put in the post, but for the sake of knowledge it would likely be the BMP-3 and T-80U as both of those tanks were imported to South Korea after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Sources:
Spoiler
Doosan K-SAM Chunma SPAAML 1999
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/rotem_jupiter.htm
Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70 - Wikipedia
https://www.kjclub.com/jp/board/exc_board_53/view/id/183894/page/714?&sst=wr_count_like&sod=desc
https://militaryleak.com/2018/08/21/falarick-105-gun-launched-anti-tank-guided-missile-glatgm/
K-SAM Pegasus – Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance
ROTEM K1 (Type 88) Main Battle Tank (MBT)
K21-105 Medium Tank | Armored Vehicles | Our Business | Hanwha Defense
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/k21_105.htm
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/k1.htm
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/k1a1.htm
South Korea’s Army Plans to Upgrade K1A2 Main Battle Tank – The Diplomat
