South Korean company Hyundai Rotem announced on 22 December that it has been awarded a KRW533 billion (USD481.4 million) contract by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the production of a third batch of K2 Black Panther main battle tanks (MBTs) for the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).
Hyundai Rotem announced on 22 December that it has been awarded a KRW533 billion contract for the production of a third batch of K2 MBTs for the RoKA. (Hyundai Rotem)
The company provided no details about the number of MBTs set to be built but sources told Janes that the third batch is expected to comprise a total of 54 K2s, with the new tanks set to feature a locally developed engine and a German-made transmission system, like those made under the second batch.
The company said delivery of the MBTs is set to be completed by 2023.
In 2015 Hyundai Rotem completed delivery of the 100 K2s ordered in 2010 as part of the first production batch and is expected to complete in 2021 delivery of the 106 K2s ordered in 2014 as part of the second batch.
According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles , the K2, which is operated by a crew of three, is 10.8 m long and 3.6 m wide. The tank, development of which was completed in 2007, has a combat weight of 56 tonnes and, when fitted with the German-produced engine and transmission system, a maximum road speed of 70 km/h. It is equipped with an in-arm suspension system that allows its ground clearance to be adjusted.
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