This article serves as foundational work to write additional content about the 155mm shells that South Korea indirectly supplied to the U.S. military in a lease format during the Ukraine war. First, let’s revisit the significance of this indirect support of 155mm shells to Ukraine.

K-Defense Filled the U.S.’s ‘Empty Arsenal,’ Elevating the U.S.-Korea Alliance

In 2022, the sound of artillery fire shattered Ukraine’s peace. Would you believe this war triggered a butterfly effect shaking the very essence of the U.S.-Korea alliance thousands of kilometers away? This is not just a story about buying and selling weapons. It reveals the stark reality of the world’s strongest military—the U.S.—facing an “empty arsenal” crisis, and the unexpected savior: South Korea. From a country that once ‘consumed’ security to a key ‘supplier’ resolving alliance crises, let’s uncover the fascinating behind-the-scenes story of South Korea’s elevated status.

Act 1: The Artillery Fire Didn’t Stop, But Factories Fell Silent

The Ukraine war vividly demonstrated how brutally modern warfare consumes resources. Especially the 155mm artillery shells, fired by the thousands daily, literally ‘poured out.’ To aid Ukraine, the U.S. supplied nearly two million shells, but the consequences were more severe than expected.

“Uncomfortably Low Levels”: Warning Lights Go On in the U.S.

In August 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense sounded the alarm. Reports flooded in that 155mm shell stocks had reached an “alarmingly low level.” This was not just a supply shortage. It posed a ‘strategic risk’ that if crises erupted simultaneously on the Korean Peninsula or Taiwan, the U.S. might fail to respond adequately. The world’s strongest military was struggling with a shortage of its most basic consumables.

Why Couldn’t the U.S. Ramp Up Shell Production?

How did this happen? The reason lies in the historical irony of the ’end of the Cold War.’ After the Cold War, the U.S. downplayed the likelihood of large-scale ground wars and drastically reduced production facilities for conventional munitions like shells. Instead, it focused on advanced weapons such as missiles and drones. As a result, just before the war, the U.S. monthly shell production was a mere 14,400 rounds—only what Ukraine consumed in a few days. Even factories producing key raw materials like TNT were absent on the U.S. mainland.

Act 2: The Paradox of ‘K-Defense’ Shining Amid Crisis

While the U.S. and Europe were scrambling, the solution came from an unexpected place: South Korea.

World’s No.1 Production Capacity Born from the North Korean Threat

Even after the Cold War, South Korea could not afford to treat ‘peace’ as a luxury. The threat of thousands of long-range artillery pieces aimed from beyond the Demilitarized Zone by North Korea paradoxically kept South Korea’s defense industry ‘hot’ and active. As a result, South Korea has become the country producing and stockpiling the most 155mm shells worldwide.

• Overwhelming production volume: Over 200,000 shells annually in peacetime, and up to 1.5 million shells annually in wartime—exceeding the combined current production of the U.S. and Europe.
• Speed and quality: Continuous production lines enable immediate mass supply, fully compliant with NATO standards, ensuring top quality and compatibility.
• Remarkable cost-effectiveness: Despite high quality, competitive pricing has become a key factor elevating K-Defense’s global status.

Act 3: The Diplomatic Masterstroke of ‘Leasing’ Instead of ‘Selling’

However, a major obstacle existed. South Korea maintains a firm policy of not supplying lethal weapons to conflict zones. How could it assist the alliance crisis while upholding this principle? Here, the wisdom of the U.S.-Korea alliance shone.

They adopted an unprecedented method: ’leasing’ instead of ‘selling.’

How Did It Work?

1. South Korea ’leased’ 500,000 155mm shells to the U.S. military.
2. The U.S. replenished its empty arsenal with these shells.
3. With its stockpile restored, the U.S. supplied its existing shell inventory to Ukraine.

Through this clever ‘indirect support’ method, South Korea avoided directly provoking Russia while easing the U.S.’s strategic burden and indirectly aiding Ukraine—achieving three goals at once.

A Win-Win Strategy: Old Shells for New Shells

Even more remarkable were the repayment terms. Instead of returning the leased shells as-is, the U.S. agreed to purchase the latest shells produced by South Korean defense firms (like Poongsan) with U.S. funds and supply them back to the South Korean military. In effect, South Korea used its old stock to support the alliance, and the gap was filled with new shells bought with U.S. money. This was a perfect win-win deal benefiting both countries.

The Alliance Arsenal Opens a New Era

This 155mm shell deal marked a significant milestone in the history of the U.S.-Korea alliance beyond mere military logistics support.

South Korea’s status has completely transformed from a ‘security consumer’ relying on the U.S. security umbrella to a ‘security supplier’ providing decisive support in alliance crises. This proves that the ‘Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance’ agreed upon by the two heads of state is not just a slogan.

Of course, as the alliance deepens, the risk of ’entrapment’—being drawn into conflicts beyond our control—increases. But one thing is clear: South Korea has now established itself as a key player contributing to the global security order beyond the Korean Peninsula. Having successfully played the role of the ‘alliance’s arsenal,’ how should we embrace the opportunities and challenges this new era presents?