South Korea has developed the KMS-114 light 81mm mortar, but is already planning to abandon it in favor of drones

 

KMS-114

The KMS-114 mortar is a modern 81 mm mortar system developed by the South Korean company Hyundai WIA and adopted by the Army of the Republic of Korea in 2021. It was created to modernize the outdated KM-187 model, offering significantly improved performance and digital technology integration.

The system includes the KM-114 mortar itself, the GYG-14K digital compass, the PYK-14K digital ballistic calculator, the PYT-14K communication device and the TAS-14K surveillance device. Thanks to these elements, the entire firing and targeting process becomes automated, which reduces training time and significantly improves accuracy.

One of the main advantages of the KMS-114 is its reduced weight — only 34 kg, which is 19% less than the previous model. This facilitates transportation, speeds up deployment, and makes the system more convenient for use in combat. The maximum firing range reaches 6,325 meters, and the rate of fire is up to 30 rounds per minute.Nevertheless, despite the obvious technical successes, the KMS-114 may soon lose its importance. As part of South Korea's massive military reform and modernization program called Dronebot, the country has begun phasing out 60 and 81 mm mortars. They are planned to be replaced by FPV drones, which have greater flexibility, accuracy and mobility in modern combat conditions.

Thus, the KMS-114 represents an important stage in the evolution of mortar systems, combining digitalization, lightness and combat effectiveness. However, the development of technology and changing approaches to warfare, especially after analyzing the fighting in Ukraine, are forcing even such advanced systems to give way to new, even more mobile and intelligent means of destruction.