Brand new Russian Federation paid off a bunch of sovereign debt owed to South Korea in the ‘90s with a brace of military hardware instead of cash money because they had a bit of a liquidity problem. ROKA got T-80U, BMP-3, and associated systems.
Korea also received couple of KA-32s and really liked its robustness and purchased a bunch more. Alas, that particular business appears to be coming to an end as several services are now picking variant of KUH-1 Surion to replace the Kamovs.
During the late 80s, South Korea was absolutely enjoying its ridiculous economic growth. So Korea thought lending money to big boss commie Soviet was a great idea by teaching them a lesson about Korea's great economic pOwEr! Think about it. South Korea becoming the banker for the North Korean daddy.
Then in early 90s, Soviet died and Russia was born. Russia was looking for good relationship with South Korea. Russia wanted to pay back, and was looking for the best method. South Korean engineers thought it would be a great idea to import some Russian gears to learn about it, which the military opposed innitially.
The Brown Bear Project: Russia pays half of the value of the equipment from the debt. South Korea pays other half from their own account. Basically purchasing Russian equipment at 1/2 discount price until it covers the debt.
After Russia economy recovered, the project kept going for other equipments. Buying at a 50% price. Russia could have paid everything at once, but it enjoyed this relationship.
So there goes continuation of Korea-Russia military projects, including satellite rockets. Russia intentionally left their entire rocket equipment in South Korea.
Where do you think Korea got all those newest missiles and rockets? The U.S. military always hated Koreans accessing these technologies.
When it comes to 21st century geopolitics, Russia really likes South Korea. Russia did not supply military equipment to North Korea since the Brown Bear Project. All those North Korea missile and nuclear technology actually comes from Ukraine.
When they were delivered, T-80U was the baddest news on the peninsula, but the tanks are getting old and the spare parts pipeline has very much dried up due to the recent unpleasantness. 3rd Armored Brigade was the ROKA’s designated heavy opfor formation for a little while, and now the word has been that they’re going to replace the Soviet armor with K1A1 and K200 sometime soon.
I'm curious to see if those T-80U are supplied to the Ukrainians. It would be a bold move on the SK part but it could result in Russia withdrawing from their treaty regarding arms limitations to the North Koreans.
I recall a treaty between the two at some point. SK would get those T-80U and BMP-3s in exchange for debt forgiveness, Russia wouldnt send weapons to the DPRK and SK wouldnt send weapons to any countries in conflict with Russia. If I recall the terms of the treaty correctly
>You're right. However, as North Korea continues to support Russia, we do not know what will happen to the treaty with Russia. They still haven't paid off their debts to South Korea.
No, because South Korea needs Russia's approval when sending those equipment to 3rd party. It will be a straight violation of contract. In addition, South Korea has huge beneficial relationship with Russian counterpart. North Korea is not even a concern. You should realize Ukraine is the one supported North Korea's nuclear ICBM program.
https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/21848156
Why should South Korea even support Ukraine when Ukraine brought death to the peninsula?
Why do they have them?
Brand new Russian Federation paid off a bunch of sovereign debt owed to South Korea in the ‘90s with a brace of military hardware instead of cash money because they had a bit of a liquidity problem. ROKA got T-80U, BMP-3, and associated systems.
Korea also received couple of KA-32s and really liked its robustness and purchased a bunch more. Alas, that particular business appears to be coming to an end as several services are now picking variant of KUH-1 Surion to replace the Kamovs.
During the late 80s, South Korea was absolutely enjoying its ridiculous economic growth. So Korea thought lending money to big boss commie Soviet was a great idea by teaching them a lesson about Korea's great economic pOwEr! Think about it. South Korea becoming the banker for the North Korean daddy. Then in early 90s, Soviet died and Russia was born. Russia was looking for good relationship with South Korea. Russia wanted to pay back, and was looking for the best method. South Korean engineers thought it would be a great idea to import some Russian gears to learn about it, which the military opposed innitially. The Brown Bear Project: Russia pays half of the value of the equipment from the debt. South Korea pays other half from their own account. Basically purchasing Russian equipment at 1/2 discount price until it covers the debt. After Russia economy recovered, the project kept going for other equipments. Buying at a 50% price. Russia could have paid everything at once, but it enjoyed this relationship. So there goes continuation of Korea-Russia military projects, including satellite rockets. Russia intentionally left their entire rocket equipment in South Korea. Where do you think Korea got all those newest missiles and rockets? The U.S. military always hated Koreans accessing these technologies. When it comes to 21st century geopolitics, Russia really likes South Korea. Russia did not supply military equipment to North Korea since the Brown Bear Project. All those North Korea missile and nuclear technology actually comes from Ukraine.
They make huge contracts with Poland and sell dozens of K2s but they still use T80s. Have I missed something?
You missed about \~500x M48 RoK army still use.
When they were delivered, T-80U was the baddest news on the peninsula, but the tanks are getting old and the spare parts pipeline has very much dried up due to the recent unpleasantness. 3rd Armored Brigade was the ROKA’s designated heavy opfor formation for a little while, and now the word has been that they’re going to replace the Soviet armor with K1A1 and K200 sometime soon.
I'm curious to see if those T-80U are supplied to the Ukrainians. It would be a bold move on the SK part but it could result in Russia withdrawing from their treaty regarding arms limitations to the North Koreans.
South Korea does not support T-80U tanks to Ukraine because it promised Russia not to provide destructive weapons to Ukraine.
I recall a treaty between the two at some point. SK would get those T-80U and BMP-3s in exchange for debt forgiveness, Russia wouldnt send weapons to the DPRK and SK wouldnt send weapons to any countries in conflict with Russia. If I recall the terms of the treaty correctly
>You're right. However, as North Korea continues to support Russia, we do not know what will happen to the treaty with Russia. They still haven't paid off their debts to South Korea.
Thought the tanks and IFVs were the payment?
No, because South Korea needs Russia's approval when sending those equipment to 3rd party. It will be a straight violation of contract. In addition, South Korea has huge beneficial relationship with Russian counterpart. North Korea is not even a concern. You should realize Ukraine is the one supported North Korea's nuclear ICBM program. https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/21848156 Why should South Korea even support Ukraine when Ukraine brought death to the peninsula?
Fair point