Summary and Key Points: At the Eurosatory 2024 arms show in Paris, South Korean defense firm Hyundai Rotem unveiled the K2EX, an upgraded version of the K2 Black Panther main battle tank (MBT). The K2EX features an improved active protection system (APS) and a remotely operated weapons system (ROWS) for the commander's machine gun.

-The Republic of Korea Army is interested in this model, which will replace the K2 Gap Filler (GF).

-The K2 Black Panther, known for its advanced design, modular composite armor, and Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, has also attracted international interest, with Poland and potentially Romania seeking to modernize their armed forces with this MBT amid rising security concerns.

K2EX: South Korea's Advanced Tank with Enhanced Protection

South Korea's K2 Black Panther has been touted as one of the best main battle tanks (MBTs) currently in service in the world, and while it is often said that it is hard to improve upon the best of anything, Hyundai Rotem has stepped up to the challenge. At this week's Eurosatory 2024 arms show in Paris, the South Korean defense firm unveiled an upgraded model of the Black Panter.

The K2EX could be described as being "extra" special, as it features an improved active protection system (APS), and a remotely operated weapons system (ROWS) that will replace the pintle mount for the commander's machine gun. Though the change won't impact the type of armament available to the vehicle's commander, it will offer the ability for weapons such as a 12.7mm (.50 caliber) machine gun to be operated from within the tank.

Hoontae Oh, a research engineer on the tank research team at Hyundai Rotem, told defense analyst firm Janes this week that the K2EX will supersede the K2 Gap Filler (GF) currently in production.  The K2EX has already caught the attention of the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA), which remains the primary operator of the K2 Black Panther.

"Hoontae referred to the tank's Trophy Heavy Vehicle (HV) APS as the ‘KAPS-2', while declining to explain this local designation further. The application of Rafael's Trophy would replace the previous soft-kill system known as KAPS (Korean Active Protection System)," Janes reported.

The K2 – A World Class Tank

The next-generation K2 Black was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, utilizing only indigenous technology. It was originally designed to complement – rather than replace – the K1 series that was fielded by the South Korean military.

A prototype was unveiled in 2007, while production commenced for the first 100 K2 tanks in 2014. It was quickly noted for being one of the most advanced MBT designs in the world, and many analysts have said it easily outclasses any tanks in service with North Korea or even China.

It relies on both an undisclosed modular composite armor and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks, and according to reports can withstand direct hits to the front from a 120mm tank round. In addition, the K2 is equipped with an active protection system as well as countermeasure systems that include NBC (nuclear-biological-chemical) protection.

The South Korean MBT is operated by a crew of three including a commander, gunner, and driver. The MBT's main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, produced under license in South Korea. It is equipped with a domestically-designed automatic loader – which can ensure the loading of projectiles on the move including when on uneven surfaces. The 120mm gun can reportedly fire approximately 10 to 15 rounds per minute, while it can fire a variety of munitions including all standard NATO tank rounds. The 120mm L/55 gun is further capable of firing the new KSTAM (Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition) rounds, smart target-activated fire-and-forget projectiles.

The South Korean Invasion of Europe

While the upgraded K2EX is being presented at the largest arms show in the world this week, it isn't clear when production could begin on the improved MBT. However, the K2 has already been adopted by the Polish military, and Hyundai Rotem announced that a further deal could be signed as early as September to supply Warsaw with an additional 180 units.

"There is a high possibility that the second executive contract for the K2 tank exports will be signed on the occasion of the International Defense Industry Exhibition in Poland this September," Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Minister Seok Jong-gun told South Korean reporters at the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Earlier this month, the South Korean defense firm also presented the K2 at a live fire demonstration in Romania, and the NATO member nation may be close to a deal for as many as 300 new MBTs to modernize its armed forces.

Fears of what Russia could do if it sees success in Ukraine have spurred security concerns in both Warsaw and Bucharest, and the K2 Black Panther continues to be touted as the best tank to counter anything Moscow might send westward.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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