K-3
Summary
| Country | 🇰🇷 South Korea |
| Category | Light machine gun |
| Manufacturer | Daewoo |
Technical specifications
| K-3 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 700 - 1000 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN |
| Magazine | 30 or 250-belt rounds |
| Length | 1030 mm (40.6 in) |
| Weight | 6.85 kg (15.1 lb) |
| Range | 600 m (1969 ft) |
Description
The K2 assault rifle was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by SNT Motiv and Dasan Machineries. Its development stemmed from the country's need for an indigenous service rifle, moving away from reliance on foreign military aid and expensive licensing agreements for weapons like the M16A1, which South Korea began license-producing in 1974. An indigenous rifle program started in 1972. Initial prototypes chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO resembled AR-15 series rifles and attempted to use M16 components. By 1975, a prototype with a long-stroke gas piston was created and later converted to 5.56×45mm NATO. The final prototype, the XB-7C (XK2), was completed by 1982 and entered full-scale production, being officially fielded to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in 1985, where it supplanted the M16A1.
Externally resembling the AR18, the K2 utilizes polymer for the forearm, pistol grip, and side-foldable buttstock. It incorporates a bolt carrier group derived from the M16 rifle and a long-stroke gas operating system derived from the AKM. The K2 is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO and can also fire .223 Remington ammunition, using the same magazine as the M16. The barrel has six grooves with a 185 mm right-hand twist. The rifle offers three selective firing modes: semi-automatic, 3-round burst, and full automatic. The K2 can be equipped with the DPI K201, an under-carried 40×46mm grenade launcher. Accessories can be mounted using the PVS-4K Rail Integration System, which includes a long top rail, as well as side and bottom rails.
Prototype and production variants include:
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XB series (XB1 through XB6), with XB6 evolving into XB7 and finally the XB7C (XK2)
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K2 (mass-produced military variant)
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K2/AR-100, DR-100/DR-200 (civilian semi-automatic versions for the US market, featuring a thumb-hole stock post-import ban)
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DR-300 (civilian version chambered in 7.62×39mm)
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K2C (military carbine variant, featuring a shortened 310mm barrel, Picatinny rail, and M4-style stock)
Other variants include the K2C CQB (a proposed K2C variant for close quarters combat), and the K2C1 variant, initially known as K2A, features a quad accessory rail, a full-length Picatinny top rail, and an AR-15-style adjustable and foldable stock, available in 305mm and 465mm barrel lengths. Rejected prototypes proposed for military adoption included the XK8 bullpup rifle and the K11 dual-barrel weapon.
The K2 has been the standard-issue rifle for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces since 1985. It was used by the South Korean contingent during Operation Enduring Freedom and the Iraq War. Mass production of the K2C1 began in 2015 to replace the K2 as the standard-issue rifle for frontline units from 2016. Original plans to replace the K2 fleet entirely with the K11 dual-barrel weapon were revised due to cost and weight, resulting in a squad composition that includes both K2 and K11 alongside other weapons. The K2 remains the standard service rifle after the K11 project cancellation. Although small numbers of K2Cs were tested by ROK Special Warfare Command, it was not adopted by the regular forces.
The K2 is primarily used by South Korea. Other state users include Cambodia, Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Malawi, Mexico, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, and Thailand. North Korea is reported to use unlicensed local copies of the K2 with special forces. The rifle has also been seen in the hands of non-state actors, including ISIS (captured), ISEA, various IS affiliated militants in Africa, Syrian opposition, and Boko Haram.