South Korea rules out direct artillery shell supplies to Ukraine

South Korea has confirmed that it will not directly supply 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine.

On October 24, President Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned that Seoul might reconsider its stance on supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine “from a more flexible position,” Caliber.Az reports per South Korean media.

However, South Korean media suggest that any potential supplies would likely be indirect, through the United States or other countries, rather than direct exports of munitions to Ukraine.

Indirect supplies refer to those sent to nations assisting Ukraine.

South Korea appears unable to allocate any additional 155 mm artillery shells without jeopardising its own military readiness. Much like Ukraine, South Korea faces a menacing and aggressive neighbour while operating with a limited stockpile of munitions and restricted production capabilities.

Publicly available reports indicate that South Korea could experience ammunition shortages within just a week if a conventional conflict were to erupt with North Korea.

Current estimates suggest that South Korea produces approximately 200,000 units of 155 mm shells annually. In comparison, Ukraine’s armed forces, which are roughly equivalent in size to South Korea's, expend that quantity of projectiles in a month of intense combat.

However, South Korea might be in a position to supply 105 mm shells. These lighter shells, weighing around 33 pounds each, have less range and explosive capacity than their heavier 155 mm counterparts, which weigh approximately 95 pounds.

Nevertheless, 105 mm howitzers are more mobile and easier to manoeuvre. As Western stockpiles of 155 mm artillery dwindle, countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, and Latvia have begun supplying Ukraine with 105 mm howitzers and the corresponding ammunition.

By Aghakazim Guliyev