South Korea considers sending artillery shells to Ukraine as North Korea backs Russia

Defense Express reports.

In response to the presence of North Korean troops on Russia's side, the leadership of South Korea is considering various ways to support Ukraine, including the potential supply of weapons for both defensive and offensive purposes.

This information was reported by the South Korean agency Yonhap News, and in this context, it is relevant to mention the possibility of transferring around 3.4 million surplus 105mm shells that South Korea has in reserve, which could be useful for Ukraine.

The idea of these surplus 105mm shells from South Korea first emerged in April 2024, based on a publication by the think tank CSIS. 

During the Cold War, the U.S. stockpiled a large quantity of ammunition in South Korea as part of the WRSA-K program, and in the 2000s, they sold this stock directly to South Korea. As a result, South Korea acquired several hundred thousand 155mm shells and a staggering 3.4 million 105mm shells.

The situation in South Korea is unique, as the country’s only 105mm artillery systems are the K105 HT, which are essentially improvised self-propelled guns mounted on truck chassis. Since 2020, the South Korean military has planned to gradually phase these systems into reserve.

Thus, a significant portion of the 3.4 million 105mm shells is surplus for South Korea, making some of this stock available for direct military aid to Ukraine.

Moreover, Ukraine’s Armed Forces have received over 100 105mm howitzers of various types as part of Western military assistance, making additional 105mm ammunition highly relevant for the Ukrainian military.