The Machine Gun Changes... SNT Motive Ships First New K15 Machine Gun "Modernizing Military Power and Expanding Exports"

K15 machine gun.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The new machine gun replacing the K3 machine gun, which has been used by our military for over 30 years, has begun to be deployed.

The new K15 machine gun developed by the global small-caliber firearms manufacturer SNT Motive held its first shipment ceremony on the 16th.

On the morning of the same day, SNT Motive held a 'K15 Machine Gun System' shipment event at its headquarters in Busan, attended by about 60 people including military officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Defense Technology Quality Institute, Army and Air Force Headquarters, aiming device manufacturer Hanwha Systems, and partner companies.

The K15 machine gun project was promoted to reinforce vulnerabilities caused by defense reform unit reorganization and troop reduction, ensure combat power, and develop a machine gun with improved performance to replace the aging K3 machine gun.

This project focused on securing a machine gun that aligns with global development trends such as machine gun organization and aiming device installation.

The K15 machine gun was finally selected after starting the development contract for the '5.56mm Light Machine Gun-II' system in 2016, undergoing development and operational test evaluations, and receiving a 'combat suitability certification.'

Unlike the existing K3, the new K15 machine gun is integrated with day and night aiming devices, improved to suppress area targets such as distant enemy dense units.

Additionally, accuracy, reliability, and operational convenience have been greatly enhanced. The barrel can be quickly replaced, and a Picatinny rail is installed to utilize various auxiliary equipment. The stock and bipod can be freely adjusted according to the physique of the soldiers.

An official from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration who attended the shipment ceremony said, "The K15 machine gun replaces the aging K3 light machine gun after more than 30 years and is equipped with day and night aiming devices, so it is expected to strengthen combat power such as enhancing small unit combat capability."

An SNT Motive official said, "The K15 machine gun has improved in many aspects such as performance and convenience compared to the existing K3 light machine gun, and it will contribute greatly to future military modernization and combat power enhancement."

The company emphasized, "We will actively strive for exports along with strengthening global sales activities to promote the excellence of 'K-Defense Industry' worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.