Will ROK Army Restart K30 Bi Ho Production Line?

 

ROK Army K30 Flying Tigers(Beeho) SPAAG

by hankooktotal

(Source: Forecast International; issued January 20, 2011)

NEWTOWN, Conn. --- The serial production line of the K30 Bi Ho twin 30mm self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery system is currently dormant.

While the ROK Ministry of National Defense and the prime contractor have released little detailed information concerning the K30 Bi Ho program, research by Forecast International indicates the ROK Army held an initial procurement objective of 150 units. Initial deliveries occurred in 1999; Doosan DST reportedly completed this production run in 2010. Despite fulfillment of the ROK Army's stated procurement objective for the K30 Bi Ho, the opportunity for additional domestic orders may still exist. The ROK Army procured the K30 Bi Ho to supplement the 520 K263A1 Chungung 20mm Vulcan self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery systems already in service. Given the Republic of Korea's recently renewed emphasis on defense spending, we expect the ROK Army may opt to enhance its short-range air defense capabilities by retiring at least a portion of its older K263A1 Chungung inventory in favor of additional K30 Bi Ho systems. Although Doosan DST continues to aggressively promote the K30 Bi Ho on the international market, the weapon system has yet to score its first export sale. Malaysia and an unidentified South American nation have reportedly been the only potential customers to express any interest, albeit without any serious commitments from either country to date.