In 1976, the ROKA Special Warfare Command requested a new weapon to replace the old M3 submachine gun. In the following year, ADD launched a project derived from the XB rifle, which started in 1972 to replace licensed M16A1s with indigenous weapons. Under the demands of the ROK-SWC, the new submachine gun must acquire greater firepower, light weight, cost effectiveness, and easy access to spare parts. The first prototypes were made in 1980, and entered service in 1981 after series of field test.
But due to the design of its flash suppressor, the K1 exhibited serious problems in service with the ROK armed forces. The original version had excessive recoil, noise, flash, and weak stock due to increase in firepower. These problems caused difficulty in aiming especially during night operation.
These shortcomings were later fixed by the development and adoption of a new flash suppressor, which has three holes in the top right quadrant to limit muzzle flip under rapid fire and reduces flash to one-third of that of the early K1. This new version of K1 is known as the K1A and its production began in 1982. All K1 submachine guns in service were subsequently modified to the K1A standard.The K1A is often mated with the PVS-4K rail integration system created by Dong In Optical (DI Optical). It is seen as a potential candidate for the "Warrior Platform", a Korean next-generation infantry project.[3]
Since 2014, newly produced and repaired K1A received new barrel suited for firing 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition. Various RIS systems developed by D.I (Dong In) Optical and MITS have been issued in small quantities, primarily to SWC units.
Differences
Most of the time, K1 submachine gun is regarded as a shortened or carbine version of Daewoo Precision Industries K2assault rifle. However, although the two guns share development history they are very different from each other for the following reasons:
The development of K1 was completed earlier than that of K2.[4]
K1: First mass-produced variant. Every K1 has been modified to K1A standard.
K1A: Second mass-produced enhanced variant.
K1A1/MAX-1/AR-110C: Semi-automatic version of K1A for export civilian market with an extended 16" barrel and stock in compliance of barrel and overall length of the National Firearms Act. All variants were marked 5.56×45mm NATO.
Future replacement
The S&T Motiv K2C, a carbine variant of the K2 rifle, was provided to the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (ROK-SWC) for evaluation. However, after a series of tests, the K2C was rejected. Subsequently, the ROK Armed Forces initiated a competition to select a new carbine to replace the K1A.
The procurement process was divided into two programs: the Special Operations Submachine Gun Type I and Type II. The Type I program aimed to develop a new weapon system for mass deployment across the ROK Armed Forces, while the Type II program was a limited procurement intended to fulfill urgent operational needs of selected units, primarily from the ROK-SWC.
On 13 June 2020, the ROK-SWC announced the selection of the Dasan Machineries' DSAR-15PC as the base model for the Type I program. Based on the CAR 816 and other AR-15 platforms, the DSAR-15PC features an Template:Cvt barrel and weighs approximately Template:Cvt. An initial batch of 1,000 rifles was planned for delivery to gather user feedback, with a total of 15,000 units to be delivered by 2023.[5][6] However, on 14 July 2021, the acquisition was cancelled following a leak of military secrets by a company executive.[7]
In October 2023, SNT Motiv (formerly Daewoo Precision Industries) announced that its STC-16 carbine had been selected under the Type II program. The carbine, designated as the K13, is a 5.56×45mm short-stroke gas-piston system with a free-floating 292 mm barrel, and weighs approximately 3 kg. A total of 1,710 K13 carbines were planned for delivery as a partial replacement for the K1A.[8][9][10] Deployment of the K13 began in February 2024. However, reports soon emerged of cartridge explosions during live fire exercises, though no injuries were reported.[11]
The Type I program was eventually reinitiated in 2025, with the goal of delivering an additional 16,000 carbines to fully replace the K1A by 2027, at a projected cost of ₩65.483 billion (approximately US$46 million).[12] Expected competitors include SNT Motiv's upgraded variants of the STC-16: the STC-16A1, featuring direct impingement operation, a slimmer upper receiver and handguard, and a forward assist; and the STC-16A2, which retains the short-stroke gas piston operation but incorporates a forward assist.[13]Dasan Machineries is also participating with its DSAR-15PQ, equipped with a quick-change barrel.[14][15]
