The new modification of the South Korean K-2 tank is focused on the conditions of the Middle East
The command of the South Korean armed forces, as part of the plan to reform the national ground forces "Plan-307", focused efforts on the modernization of the main battle tank K-2 "Black Panther". It is reliably known that even at the Defense Expo Exhibition Korea 2018, held in Seoul, an export version of the K-2 tank, designed for combat operations in desert conditions, was presented. The tank was upgraded by specialists of the Korean company Hyundai Rotem and tested in sandy and clay desert conditions. The main purpose of creating this K-2 variant is to interest buyers, primarily from the Middle East and North Africa.
The export version of the tank is equipped with additional fuel tanks to increase the power reserve in desert conditions. In addition, an additional air conditioning system is installed on the starboard side of the tower.
The main difference between the upgraded K-2 and the base model is its equipment with a motor-transmission compartment developed by specialists of the Doosan Group financial and industrial group. Doosan Infracore DV27K diesel engines and S&T Dynamics EST15K automatic six-speed transmission are installed on tanks designed for combat operations in desert conditions. This engine has a power comparable to the German MTU MB-883 Ka 500. However, the cost of the Korean sample is lower. The new S&T Dynamics EST15K transmission has six forward speeds and three reverse speeds, which increases the maneuverability of the K-2.
"Despite the prospects of this tank and high tactical and technical characteristics, there is also a significant disadvantage – the cost of one combat unit is estimated at about nine million US dollars”
In addition to the DV27K diesel engine, the tank has an additional 100 horsepower gas turbine engine. It is coupled to a generator and provides K-2 with electricity when the main engine is turned off.
The upgraded K-2 has an active suspension equipped with a terrain scanning system (the scanning radius is about 50 meters) and a hydropneumatic springing system. Depending on the type of terrain, this system provides not only a change in ground clearance, but also the tilt of the tank in the longitudinal and transverse planes, which makes it possible to increase the patency of the machine and significantly increase the range of angles of vertical guidance of the gun.
The upgraded K-2 is equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore L-55 cannon. However, instead of 120-mm ammunition of the NATO standard, tanks are equipped with ammunition of the national development KSTAM-II (Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition). A hinged trajectory is used to fire this projectile. KSTAM-II is equipped with active radar and infrared homing heads operating in the millimeter wave range. The flight path is corrected by four stabilizers. When approaching the target, a parachute opens to reduce speed and precise targeting is performed. A backup control channel is provided, which makes it possible to adjust the trajectory of the projectile by the gunner-operator. The firing range of this ammunition is from two to six kilometers.
Despite the prospects of this tank and high tactical and technical characteristics, there is also a significant disadvantage – the cost of one combat unit is estimated at about nine million US dollars. For comparison: the Russian T-90 CM tank, designed for operations in various conditions, including desert conditions, costs two million dollars.
The Black Panther is a promising combat vehicle with high tactical and technical characteristics. It is possible that the high cost of the K-2 export tank will become an obstacle to the conclusion of contracts in the future and will not provide a proper level of competition with cheaper models of equipment. However, given the success of South Korean military products in the Middle East market in 2020-2021, we can expect their promotion to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa in the near term.
Dmitry Hoang
The newspaper "Military-Industrial Courier", published in issue No. 9 (922) for March 15, 2022
