South Korean Army receives first batch of K15 LMGs

SMT Motiv showcased K15 5.56 mm light machine gun at the DX Korea 2022 exhibition, which was held in Seoul from 21 to 25 September 2022. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)

South Korean firearms manufacturer SNT Motiv has delivered the first batch of K15 light machine guns (LMGs) to the Republic of Korea (RoK) Army.

According to a press release by SNT Motiv, the 5.56 mm K15 LMGs will replace the ageing fleet of K3 LMGs with the RoK Army.

SNT Motiv said that the new K15 guns are integrated with day and night sighting devices, which were not available in the K3s.

“In addition, accuracy, reliability, and operating convenience [of K15 guns] have been improved. Picatinny rails are installed to use various accessories. The butt and bipod can be freely adjusted according to the physique of the soldiers,” SNT Motiv said.

According to Janes Infantry Weapons , the K15 is an upgrade of the K3 LMG. The K15 introduces a number of parts redesigns to improve the reliability and ergonomics of the weapon over the base K3 model.

The major changes include a new receiver cover with a length of MIL-STD-1913 rail, new front and rear iron sights, a redesigned feed tray, a redesigned trigger module, a redesigned folding cocking handle, and a redesigned ejection port dust cover.

The K15 also integrated a redesigned handguard, a new barrel release button, a new fluted barrel with redesigned flash suppressor and carrying handle, a strengthened bipod, and a new length-adjustable butt-stock.

SNT Motiv started developing the K15 in 2018. It also offers the Hanwha Systems PAS-18K thermal weapon sight in conjunction with the K15.