Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Mechanized infantry units effectively complete combined exercise in the UAE

- The Korea-UAE combined exercise was conducted from February 10 to 20 at Al Hamra Training Center in the UAE.

- It was the first exercise in the UAE involving Korea’s mechanized infantry units and using K2 tanks and K9A1 self-propelled howitzers.

- The first deployment of Korea’s K21 infantry fighting vehicles and K600 Rhino Combat Engineering Vehicles in an overseas combined training operation.

- It featured a performance demonstration of Korea’s advanced weapon systems and included a riding experience for UAE government and military officials.

○ The first combined exercise in the UAE, featuring the deployment of mechanized infantry units, concluded successfully. The Army announced that the 2025 UAE combined exercise taskforce had completed the training with the UAE military and is scheduled to depart for Korea on February 21 (local time).

○ The exercise, held from February 10 to 20 at the Al Hamra Training Center in the UAE, included soldiers from the 8th Maneuver Division and 14 units from the Republic of Korea’s mechanized infantry, using advanced equipment such as K2 tanks and K9A1 self-propelled howitzers.

○ This was the first combined drill in the UAE conducted by the Republic of Korea’s mechanized infantry unit, and the Army deployed a wider range of mechanized forces compared to those used in the combined exercise held in Qatar last year.

○ Notably, the K21 infantry fighting vehicle and the K600 Rhino Combat Engineering Vehicle2), two of the Korean military’s key assets, were mobilized for overseas combined exercises for the first time, effectively showcasing the advanced capabilities of Korean weapon systems.

○ During the first week of the exercise, activities began with terrain reconnaissance, followed by tactical discussions, defensive field training exercises (FTX), live-fire drills, and urban operations conducted by the Marines.

○ Korean tanks, self-propelled howitzers, and armored vehicles showed their advanced capabilities with mobile shooting, maximum effective range shooting, maximum rate of fire shooting, and time-on-target (TOT) shooting, effectively demonstrating the superiority of Korean weapon systems in sustaining relentless operations, even in harsh desert environments.

○ Additionally, the K2 tank fully showcased the exceptional performance of its state-of-the-art fire control system, which is equipped with automatic target acquisition and tracking capabilities. The K2 tank demonstrated remarkable accuracy by striking a target 4.5 km away with a 100% hit rate, surpassing its maximum effective range of over 3 km. Observing the event, UAE officials expressed astonishment at its precision.

○ During the offensive field training exercise (FTX) conducted in the second week, the combined operational capabilities of both nations were demonstrated. The K9A1 self-propelled howitzers and the UAE military’s 120 mm self-propelled mortars engaged targets with artillery fire, while the K2 tanks and the UAE’s Leclerc tanks³) maneuvered at high speeds across the desert, effectively neutralizing the simulated enemy.

○ Participating in an overseas combined exercise for the first time, the K21 infantry fighting vehicle and K600 Rhino Combat Engineering Vehicle executed their missions seamlessly. The K21 infantry fighting vehicle, leveraging its powerful firepower from a 40 mm autocannon and exceptional protection, maneuvered alongside tanks, demonstrating outstanding combined infantry and armor operations capability4).

○ As maneuvering units approached a complex obstacle zone, the K600 Rhino Combat Engineering Vehicle cleared the desert sands and created pathways to facilitate the advance of friendly forces.

○ After the FTX, there was a Korean weapon systems performance demonstration and equipment exhibition.

○ The combined training group demonstrated not only its firepower and maneuvering capabilities but also the differentiated sustained support capability of the Korean weapon systems. This was shown with the rapid resupply of ammunition for K9A1 self-propelled howitzers using the K10 ammunition resupply vehicle, as well as on-site maintenance of K2 tanks with the assistance of the K1 armored recovery vehicle.

○ Brigadier General Saif. R. Al Musafari, Commander of the UAE Armed Forces' 5th Brigade participating in the exercise, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I commend the soldiers of both nations for their dedication to this combined exercise. I am especially impressed by the remarkable performance of the Korean weapon systems, which successfully carried out missions even in the unfamiliar and challenging desert environment.”

○ Lt. Col. Lee Ju-hyeon, commander of the combined exercise unit, stated, “I am honored and feel a deep sense of responsibility as all unit members represented the Republic of Korea Army in this combined exercise. I am especially proud of the soldiers who successfully completed the training, using the equipment effectively even in the challenging desert environment of the UAE.”

○ The Army plans to enhance interoperability with allied nations, promote the excellence of Korean weapon systems, and explore ways to establish regular combined exercises with the UAE and Qatar. <End>