S&T Motiv K12 🇰🇷 Forging the Path to Excellence. The Power and Precision of South Korea

S&T Motiv K12 General purpose machine gun 7.62x51mm NATO

1.Introduction 00:00
2.Design 00:38

Introduction
S&T Motiv K12, is a 7.62×51mm NATO general-purpose machine gun manufactured by S&T Daewoo to replace M60 machine gun for Republic of Korea Armed Forces. The K12 was first shown to the public in 2009, during the Seoul ADEX International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition. It was officially designated as K12 during the development stage, but it was re-designated as K16 as the mass production process began in 2021.

Design
The K12 is based on the K3's design, layout, and function using a gas piston and rotating bolt. It is fed through a STANAG M13 disintegrating belt link and cannot accept a magazine. The cross-bolt type safety is the same as K3/Minimi, and the receiver is made from steel press with an aluminum alloy feed cover. Although similar in design, the receiver and other important parts are enlarged to accommodate the larger round.
The K12 is somewhat heavy for the gun class at 12 kg (26 lb), mainly because it has pistol grip, spade grip, and metal sliding stock all in one gun for the purpose of being quickly converted into a ground-fire machine gun by a dismounted operator; the spade grip can be removed by taking out two pins, removing the grip, and unfolding the stock which is similar in design to the FN Minimi's Para version. Standard machine gun features are included like a folding (K3-style) bipod, quick change barrel, gas regulator, and flash suppressor. It also has a folding ring sight for firing on helicopters with a folding ladder type sight for more accurate aiming.
The sight is attached on a MIL-STD 1913 rail, which is also on the feed cover and both sides of the handguard. No laser or optical sight has yet been selected for use on the K12, but some kind of electro-optical accessories are expected in the near future.