Korean troops arrive in Qatar for joint exercises

14 October, 2024 Loading the K2 tank onto the amphibious assault ship No Jeok Bong. Photo: bemil The units of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces arrived in Qatar to conduct the joint military exercises.

KFN published the video. The training will involve the use of heavy armored vehicles, including tanks and self-propelled artillery systems, which the Korean army units brought with them. Among the weapons of the 11th Mobile Division, the K2 main battle tanks and K9A1 self-propelled howitzers in the total number of 14 units, as well as 100 soldiers, arrived in Qatar.

As General Park An-su noted, this event involving heavy armored vehicles was the first in the history of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces to improve cooperation with the foreign troops.

In addition to military training, there will also be so-called the promotional exercises to demonstrate the South Korean weapons to interest the Qatari generals and demonstrate their advantages. According to the plan, the K2 tanks will train to fire at maximum range, attack in close cooperation with infantry, and perform tactical maneuvers as part of a tank company. In addition to the Ground forces, the amphibious assault ship No Jeok Bong from the Qatari Navy will also take part, which will also be the first exercise with Qatari ships.

Loading of military equipment and ammunition in preparation for departure to Qatar.

Photo credits: bemil

The 11th Mobile Division was involved in the exercises, which in the past served as a mechanized unit and was supposed to carry out direct defense in the demilitarized zone. In 2019, as part of the reorganization, the 11th and 20th divisions were merged by order of the army headquarters: the subordinate 20th Brigade became independent, and the 20th Division was included in the 61st Brigade. Militarnyi previously reported that the DPRK would block the border with South Korea and build a new defense line amid growing confrontation in the region.

As part of these activities, units of the 11th Mobile Division conducted the large-scale tactical exercises near Hongcheon, Inje, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Yangpyeong-gun, and Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do.