Южнокорейская штурмовая винтовка K2

South Korean assault rifle

Daewoo Precision Industries K2 assault rifle is the standard service rifle of the South Korean military. It was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by SNT Motiv (formerly Daewoo Precision Industries) and Dasan Machineries (since 2016). Shoulder fired and gas operated, the K2 is capable of firing both 5.56×45mm NATO and .223 Remington ammunition; however, using .223 Remington is only recommended for practicing for short distance. The K2 supplanted the M16A1 assault rifle as the primary infantry weapon for the South Korean military since its adoption in 1985, though the former remains in service with reservists.

In the 1960s, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces relied completely upon military support from the United States to supply its small arms, consisting mostly of M1 Garands and M1/M2 carbines. Attempts at the time to develop an indigenous rifle were hampered by the country's economic, technological, and industrial shortcomings, and initial attempts never went into production. During South Korean involvement in the Vietnam War, South Korean army soldiers and marines received the more modern M16A1 assault rifle from U. S. military aid, though not enough to arm all active military personnel. With a modern rifle design and rapid economic growth in the 1970s, South Korea began to build the M16A1 (Colt Model 603K) under license in 1974. Despite being able to produce their own service rifle, it was not an ideal arrangement; the original license agreement did not cover enough weapons to equip their forces including millions of reserves, and having to pay license fees to manufacture the design was too expensive at a time when the country was short on foreign currency. Geopolitical considerations played a factor, as the Nixon Doctrine and Carter administration's use of the U. S. military presence on the Korean peninsula as leverage to force change against South Korea's human rights practices. Under such influences, South Korea felt it necessary to be able to control their own basic weapon needs. The K2 and K1A had become outdated for international markets after 2000; in addition to lack of ability to add accessories, the K1A had become too large, underpowered and un ergonomic as a personal defense weapon or special operation carbine and the K2 was too long. In 2012, S&T Motiv introduced the K2C, or K2 Carbine. It has a shortened barrel with adjusted gas piston, upper receiver/handguard Picatinny rail, and right side folding M4 style retractable stock; it weighs , is long with stock extended and with stock folded. In 2013, a new tan painted K2C with Magpul CTR stock and detachable rear sight was unveiled, but not actually produced. In 2017, The New K2C 1/2 variants with a foldable front sight and ambidextrous selector switches were unveiled. In 2018, the new K2C 1 variant was renamed K2C CQB.

S&T Motiv developed the K2A to enhance its domestic appeal, which retained the full length K2's features (including bayonet lug) and utilized the upgrades of K2C, such as the Picatinny rail on the upper receiver and handguard, as well as an Colt M4 style collapsible stock. Afterward, the K2A was renamed to K2C1. The "C" in the name represented that only the exterior design was modified, without any enhancements made to its performance, in accordance with the Korean Defense Specifications (KDS). Subsequently, the K2C1 was selected by the ROK forces as their standard weapon. The K2C1 underwent various changes compared to the K2A, which included an extended handguard rail with optional lower and side Picatinny rail sections, a flattop upper receiver featuring a detachable rear backup sight, and a new Magpul CTR like collapsible stock. As of 2016, approximately 200,000 K2C1s were in active service with frontline troops. The K2C1 is slightly heavier than the original model, partly due to the screw attachment method of its rail. The K2C1 weighs 3.684 kg (8.12 lb), while the original K2 weighed 3.37 kg (7.4 lb).

Six different prototypes were made during the XB development. Of the 6 designs, the XB6 was selected. Some parts of the XB6 resembled the FN FNC such as the suppressor and sights. Further development of the XB6 evolved into the XB7 and finally the XB7C, also known as the XK2. Externally similar in appearance to the AR18, the K2 uses polymer for the forearm, pistol grip and side foldable buttstock. The fire control system and bolt carrier group are derived from the American M16 rifle, but few of the parts, including the bolt and carrier, are interchangeable with the M16. The gas operating system is derived from the AKM. The K2 uses the same magazine as the M16. The barrel rifling has 6 grooves, 185 mm (1 in 7.3) right hand twist. The K2 has 3 selective firing modes: semi auto, 3 round burst, and full automatic. The K2 can be equipped with the DPI K201, an undercarried 40×46mm single shot grenade launcher patterned after the American M203. The primary differences between the two weapons include: development time and intent (the K1 took less time to develop and entered service sooner than the K2, and was developed originally as a submachine gun because it was intended to replace the M3 Grease Gun; the K2 was developed from the start as a service rifle); rifling (K1: 1 in 12 twist; K2: 1 in 7.3 twist); and gas system (the K1 uses a direct impingement gas system, while the K2 uses a long stroke gas piston system). In addition, some parts are not interchangeable between the two weapons even though they can use the same cartridge (KM193 (.223 Remington) 5.56 caliber; the K2 can also utilize the K100 (SS109) 5.56 caliber round).

At least 6 versions (XB1 to XB6) of prototype were made. XB6: Selected design among the prototype. XB7: Further development of the XB6. XB7C: Final experimental prototype. Also known as XK2.

Mass produced variant. DR 100: Semi automatic 5.56×45mm NATO version for civilian market. DR 200: Semi automatic .223 Remington version for civilian market. Exports started in 2012. K2C CQB: A manufacturer proposed variant of K2C for close quarters combat operations, which was first unveiled by the name "The New K2C 1" in the ADEX 2017, and later renamed as "K2C CQB" in the DX KOREA 2018. It has a barrel and has a firing range up to 500 meters with a Colt SCW type buttstock, flip up sights, a horizontally modified magazine well angle, integrated picatinny rails and ambidextrous selector switches.

(C="Exterior design changed without performance improvements", by the South Korean Defense Specification) : New variant featuring a quad accessory rail, full length 1913 Picatinny optics rail, an AR 15 style six position collapsing and a Magpul based foldable stock. Comes in two barrel lengths, 305 mm (12 in) and 465 mm (18.3 in). It was officially sent into production in March 2016 with first deliveries in June 2016.

S&T Daewoo (now S&T Motiv) proposed the XK8, a 5.56×45mm NATO bullpup version of the K2 in early 2000. After a series of field tests, the XK8 was rejected by the South Korean military and was never mass produced. The development of the S&T Daewoo K11 dual barrel air burst weapon, which uses 5.56×45mm NATO and 20×30mm air burst grenade, prompted the South Korean military to plan for the replacements of all K2 rifles in service with the K11, making K11 the standard service rifle for the armed forces. However, due to the K11's extremely high cost and weight for a standard rifle, the armed forces scrapped its original plan and decided to provide 2 K11 per squad in order to increase firepower. The K11 project was subsequently cancelled and as a result, the K2 was retained as the standard service rifle. In 2014, an upgraded K2 rifle, the K2C1 was introduced, and the South Korean Army performed field tests which were successful. K2C1 mass production began in 2015 to replace the K2 as the standard issue rifle for the ROK armed forces. Additional production of K2C1 rifles will push out K2 in active service, and eventually replace the reserve forces' M16A1s with K2 in the near future. However, K2C1 is considered as temporary replacement for aging K2 rifles.