South Korea plans to deploy 'artillery killers' to tame North Korea

Image Credit: Defensenews

SEOUL: In view of looming threats from North Korea, Seoul is planning to deploy surface-to-surface missiles in a newly created counter-artillery brigade which can destroy the bunkers of its hostile neighbour in the event of a military conflict between the two Korean states.

According to reports, the deployment of missiles is likely to be complete by October. These missiles have the potential to destroy North Korea’s hardened long-range artillery sites near the Demilitarized Zone, according to a report by Defensenews.

It quoted a defense source as saying that the plan is part of South Korea‘s plan for developing an offensive operations scheme under which tactical missiles will be developed. 

The sources further said that the plan to create an artillery brigade under a ground forces operations command has been cleared by the Ministry of National Defense. It will be inaugurated in October, the sources said.

The proposal, which is part of 'Defense Reform 2.0’ policy, awaits President Moon Jae-in's nod. It mainly focusses on destroying North Korea’s long-range guns more rapidly and effectively, should conflict arise, they said.

The three-year development of the GPS-guided Korea Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile was completed last year b the Hanwha Corporation in partnership with the state-funded Agency for Defense Development, or ADD.

The missile, dubbed “artillery killer,” has a range of more than 120 kilometers and can hit targets with a 2-meter accuracy, as per the South Korean officials.

At least four missiles can be launched simultaneously from a fixed launch pad, which can penetrate bunkers and hardened, dug-in targets several meters underground.