South Korean artillery surplus poised to bolster Ukraine's defence

According to Global Firepower rankings, South Korea possesses the fifth most powerful army globally. Due to its strategic location and historically strained relations with its northern neighbour, South Korea, unlike many NATO countries, has refrained from disarmament and consistently maintained its military equipment and ammunition. Consequently, over the years, stocks of certain shells have grown substantially.

South Korea is among the world's leading producers of 155 mm artillery shells (including standard, cluster munition, and smoke shells). However, the Ukrainian service Defence Express points out the importance of South Korean 105 mm artillery ammunition.

According to estimates from various sources, including the analytical group CSIS, South Korean warehouses currently hold approximately 3.4 million 105 mm shells. These began accumulating during the Cold War. The United States initially stocked these shells and years later sold the supplies to South Korea. Koreans have amassed considerable quantities of this ammunition alongside domestic production in local armament factories.

The argument for providing Ukraine with 105 mm artillery shells is that they are no less critical for South Korea. Modernizing their army has left only a few artillery systems that still use the 105 mm calibre in service.

For this reason, Defence Express concludes that at least some of the 3.4 million 105 mm artillery shells in South Korea could be surplus and might be allocated as direct military aid to Ukraine. This would offer invaluable assistance, as Ukrainian soldiers have been facing ammunition shortages of various types for months, with more than 100 different 105 mm howitzers arriving at the front from the West.