South Korea eyes major tank deal as Romania builds armored force
7:51 AM EDT, May 30, 2024
South Korea hopes to secure a contract in Romania for several hundred K2 Black Panther tanks. This would mark the Koreans' second foothold in Europe, following Poland. Here are the achievements of this machine.
South Korea held a dynamic demonstration at a training ground in Romania, showcasing the performance of the K2 Black Panther tank to guests. This machine and 54 M1A2 SEP V3 Abrams tanks could form Bucharest's armored fist.
In the long term, Romania plans to acquire up to 300 tanks as part of an extensive cooperation involving other weapon systems. Additionally, Romania aims to negotiate optimal terms for delivery dates and technical support—something more challenging with armored giants like the USA or Germany.
An indicator of South Korea's willingness to comply with these terms is the agreement to substantial contractual penalties in the procedure concerning K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. South Korea is considered a relatively new player in the international arms trade and is currently building its reputation.
K2 Black Panther - an armored beast from Korea
The K2 Black Panther tanks weigh about 121,000 lbs—significantly lighter than the approximate 154,000 lbs of the newest Leopard 2A8 and M2A2 SEP V2/3 Abrams tanks.
Like the Russians and French, the Koreans achieved this lower weight by reducing the crew to three people and allowing for a smaller turret. Unlike Soviet-era solutions, the autoloader and ammunition magazine are isolated from the crew by a steel plate, similar to the Leclerc tank. This design also includes weakened armor sections to direct the force of any ammunition explosion outward.
It's also important to highlight that the autoloader, unlike a human loader, maintains a consistent rate of fire under all conditions, including during difficult terrain driving. This feature enables a firing rate of about 10 rounds per minute for the primary 120 mm CN08 gun, which is 55 calibers long, similar to the gun used in the Leopard 2A6 tanks.
The tank's advantages do not end there. In line with current trends, the K2 Black Panther can be equipped with reactive armor packages and the Korean Active Protection System (KAPS). This system conceptually resembles the Israeli Trophy HV, which has proven highly effective in the Gaza Strip conflicts.
