Daewoo K3
S&T Motiv (formerly Daewoo Precision Industries) · Machine Gun · In Service · 1989
Also known as: K3 Light Machine Gun, K-3 LMG, S&T Motiv K3
Overview
The Daewoo K3 is a South Korean 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun, externally and conceptually similar to the FN Minimi / M249 SAW. Developed by Daewoo Precision Industries (now S&T Motiv) and adopted by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in 1989 to replace the M60, it serves as the squad automatic weapon of South Korean infantry units and has seen export to several Asian and Latin American militaries.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 6850 g (241.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1030 mm (40.55") |
| Barrel Length | 533 mm (20.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 200 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 960 m/s (3150 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1838 J (1356 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 900 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56 NATO — also known as SS109, M855, .223 Remington (similar)
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: M27 Disintegrating Link Belt, Stanag Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Selector Safety
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Barrel Carry Handle, Bipod, Dual Feed Belt Or Box Magazine, Open Bolt Operation, Fluted Barrel, Fixed Polymer Stock
Variants
- Daewoo K3 Para — Paratrooper Short Barrel
Service history
Operators
- Republic of Korea Armed Forces · adopted 1989 · as K3
- Philippine Army
- Indonesian Marine Corps
- Colombian Army
- Bangladesh Army
- Royal Thai Army
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- UN peacekeeping operations (1990s-present)
Production
Production years: 1989-present
Standard ROK Army squad automatic weapon for over three decades; production figures not openly published. Begins phaseout for the K15 in 2025.
Origin
Country of origin: South Korea
Designer: Daewoo Precision Industries design team (Agency for Defense Development collaboration)
Notes
Like the FN Minimi, the K3 can feed from either a 200-round disintegrating belt or a STANAG box magazine. South Korea began phasing the K3 out in 2025 in favor of the K15 LMG.
Background
The K3 was South Korea's first wholly indigenous machine gun design, developed at a time when the Agency for Defense Development was racing to free Korea from dependency on US-supplied small arms. Despite its strong visual resemblance to the FN Minimi, the K3 is a clean-sheet design rather than a license-built copy, a point of considerable national pride during its 1989 adoption.