TSAMTO, April 4. The K2 Black Panther MBT produced by the South Korean Hyundai Rotem company in camouflage of the Peruvian Ground Forces, which will participate in the SITDEF-2025 exhibition (Lima, April 24-27), has been delivered to Peru.
According to the information Defensa.com MBT K2 was delivered to Peru on March 17 aboard a cargo ship. The K877 command and staff vehicle with an 8x8 wheel arrangement was delivered by the same vessel.
Recall that a memorandum of understanding on the assembly of about 100 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks between Hyundai Rotem and the Peruvian state–owned arms and ammunition manufacturing company under the Ministry of Defense (Fabrica de Armas y Municiones del Ejercito - FAME S.A.C.) was signed in Lima on November 16, 2024. However, the contract has not yet been confirmed. The Technical and Operational Research Committee (CETO) is still at the initial stage of market research.
As you know, Peru and the Republic of Korea are already implementing a project for the production of armored combat vehicles, which in the future may be expanded through the production of MBT K2 in Peru.
On May 22, 2024, FAME S.A.C., Hyundai Rotem and the commercial holding STX Corporation signed a strategic cooperation agreement on the assembly and possible joint production of armored vehicles in Peru. The signed agreement is considered at the local level as an important milestone in strengthening the emerging defense industrial base.
In accordance with the signed agreement, an enterprise for the assembly and production of various types of military equipment will be built in Peru. At the first stage, the company plans to assemble the first batch of 30 armored combat vehicles. A comprehensive training program for FAME technical staff will also be implemented.
Hyundai Rotem, a South Korean company, has been selected as the preferred bidder for the supply of 30 K808 White Tiger armored combat vehicles with an 8x8 wheelbase for the Peruvian Army in early May 2024. The agreement is worth about 82.8 billion. won (60.9 million dollars) provides for the supply of 30 K808 BBM plus 120 units. as an option. STX Engine company has been identified as the main contractor of the project.
In November 2024, the Government of Peru confirmed that the purchase of South Korean equipment for the Ground Forces would be carried out directly from the state defense company FAME S.A.C. In order to accelerate the acquisition of armored vehicles manufactured by FAME/Hyundai Rotem, the Government of Peru considered it necessary to exclude the agreement from the general "List of strategic foreign contracts" that are being implemented under the management of the Armed Forces Procurement Agency Peru (ACFFAA), and confirmed that the signing of an interstate agreement with the Republic of Korea would not be necessary, as the delivery would be entrusted to FAME S.A.C.
For this reason, the Ministry of Defense has revoked permission to sign an interstate agreement. FAME S.A.C. will also take over the guarantee of the supply of armored vehicles.
The first K808 White Tiger armored personnel carriers with the 8x8 wheel formula were presented by the Peruvian Armed Forces on December 9, 2024 in Lima during the celebration of Army Day (three vehicles were demonstrated at the parade).
