S.Korea To Deploy Multiple Rocket Launchers

The South Korean military will be deploying its new multiple rocket launchers, Cheonmu, in the second half of this year in areas bordering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

A South Korean military official confirmed to Yonhap News Agency that development of the next-generation multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) has been completed.

The Cheonmu was expected to be deployed in areas near the disputed western maritime borders from 2015, said the official. He added that the military has continued to enhance combat capability in areas near the western sea border.

The Cheonmu, which will replace the existing MLRS called Guryong, is composed of 130 mm rocket launcher and 230 mm launcher, which has a maximum range of 80 km.

The range is longer than South Korea's K-9 self-propelled howitzer with a maximum range of 40 km as well as the DPRK's 170 mm self-propelled howitzers and 240 mm multiple rocket launchers that have a range of 54-65 km.

The DPRK is reportedly developing its new multiple rocket launchers with a maximum range of about 200 km.