South Korean tanks, howitzers join first overseas live-fire drills in Qatar

For the first time, South Korean tanks and self-propelled howitzers have participated in combined live-fire drills overseas, as part of a military exercise in Qatar. 

This marks a significant milestone in the South Korean Army’s international military cooperation, Caliber.Az reports, citing South Korean news sources.

Earlier in October, a contingent of around 100 Korean soldiers, along with four K2 tanks and four K9 self-propelled howitzers, arrived in Qatar aboard a Navy landing ship. The drills are being held at the Al Qalayel training center, a desert facility where the Korean forces are staging joint exercises with Qatar's Leopard 2A7 tanks and Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers.

These drills, aimed at enhancing live-fire capabilities, represent the first time South Korea’s K2 tanks and K9 howitzers have participated in an overseas exercise. The exercises are a part of a broader effort to bolster military cooperation between South Korea and Qatar.

The South Korean Army stated that additional live-fire and manoeuvre exercises with Qatari forces are planned throughout the training period, which is set to conclude on October 27.

This joint exercise follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between South Korea and Qatar in February, which was aimed at deepening bilateral defence sector cooperation. The MoU highlights both countries' commitment to strengthening military ties and enhancing mutual defence capabilities through joint training and knowledge exchange.

By Khagan Isayev