The South Korean Army’s 9th Infantry Division has reinforced its firepower readiness by conducting artillery live-fire training in freezing conditions. On Wednesday, the division carried out a K55A1 self-propelled howitzer live-fire drill in conjunction with winter training in Mugeon-ri, Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
A total of 25 pieces of equipment, including 18 K55A1 self-propelled howitzers, 4 K77 fire direction control vehicles, and 3 K56 ammunition resupply vehicles, were mobilized for the training, along with approximately 160 personnel.
The division set its training goal as mastering the shoot-and-scoot tactic. Rapid position changes are crucial for artillery units to minimize friendly casualties by avoiding enemy counterattacks after firing. Accordingly, each artillery crew concentrated on live-action training, launching artillery rounds from their positions and immediately moving to a new firing location within minutes to prepare for incoming enemy fire.
The training simulated an enemy artillery provocation scenario. When the counter-battery radar detected and identified the enemy’s firing location, the fire direction control vehicle issued firing orders. The K55A1 self-propelled howitzers moved into their designated positions and launched artillery rounds. After completing the initial strikes, the K55A1 units rapidly repositioned several hundred meters away to avoid enemy retaliation. The exercise concluded with secondary strikes, devastating the target area.
Lieutenant Colonel Lee Woo Won, commander of the division’s artillery battalion, stated, “Shoot-and-scoot artillery drills enhance realistic combat capabilities and survivability by preparing for enemy counterattacks. The biggest achievement of this exercise was fostering confidence in our ability to fight and win.”
Since last September, the division has maximized training effectiveness by producing and utilizing standardized training videos on shoot-and-scoot artillery tactics. Once the K105A1 wheeled self-propelled howitzer live-fire exercise is completed on Friday, all artillery units within the division will have successfully conducted rapid position change drills.
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