ROK to deploy new multiple rocket launchers

SEOUL -- The Republic?of Korea (ROK)'s?military plans to deploy its new multiple rocket launchers, named Cheonmu in Korean, in the second half of this year in areas bordering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday.

A ROK military official was quoted by Yonhap as saying that the next-generation multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) will be deployed in the Army's frontline corps from the second half of this year as its development was completed.

The Cheonmu was expected to be deployed in areas near the disputed western maritime borders from 2015, said the official.

An official at the ROK Defense Ministry told Xinhua that details on the Cheonmu deployment cannot be confirmed as it is a military secret. He said the military has continued to enhance combat capability in areas near the western sea border.

The Cheonmu, which will replace the existing MLRS called Guryong, is composed of 130 mm rocket launcher and 230 mm launcher, which has a maximum range of 80 km.

The range is longer than ROK's K-9 self-propelled howitzer with a maximum range of 40 km as well as the DPRK's 170 mm self-propelled howitzers and 240 mm multiple rocket launchers that have a range of 54-65 km.

The DPRK is reportedly developing its new multiple rocket launchers with a maximum range of about 200 km.