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S&T Motiv (Daewoo) K2

1987 COLD WAR MODERN

S&T Motive (Daewoo) K2 History

The Daewoo K2 series assault rifle is the standard assault rifle of the Korean Army. The weapon shares some external and internal similarities with the American M16, and also incorporates features from the Soviet Kalashnikov AK-47.

The K2 replaced the M16A1 assault rifle in service with the South Korean army and sold abroad. Design of automatic weapons began in 1983 and production began in 1984 and continues to this day. The South Korean Army has officially accepted automatic rifles into their roster since 1987.

The K2 series is made thanks to S&T Daewoo based in Busan, South Korea. The company (formerly Daewoo Precision Industry Co., Ltd.) has accumulated extensive experience in the production of small arms and automobiles since 1981 (the latter since 1986).

In 2006, Daewoo itself was collapsing, but it re-emerged, with the majority of its shares being acquired by S&T Holdings, creating the S&T Daewoo Ltd product brand.

The 40mm single-shot Daewoo K201 series grenade launcher can be mounted on the bottom of the K2 barrel. The K201 is similar in design and range to the US M203 40mm production launcher.

The reported muzzle velocity of the K2 assault rifle is 920 meters per second. The valid range is listed as plus or minus 1,804 feet. The maximum range is 7,872 feet. The rifle has a barrel length of 980mm and a barrel size of 465mm.

With the folding stock, the length of the K2 was reduced to a more manageable 730mm.

Apart from Korea, K2 has been accepted by a few foreign units including Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nigeria, Peru and Senegal. Export versions are listed under the designations DR-100, DR-200 and DR-300.

The DR-100 and DR-200 use .223 Remington cartridges, while the DR-300 uses 7.62x39mm cartridges.

The K2 has conducted extensive combat operations with the South Korean military during the 2001 Afghanistan war and the 2003 Iraq war. The Fijian army also used the weapon in the 2006 Fiji coup.

Some sources believe that the Daewoo K1/K1A1 is a shortened carbine version of the K2 assault rifle. Others dismissed their direct relationship and argued that the K1/K1A1 carbine was a completely different weapon system.