South Korea eyes major tank deal with Romania in European expansion
South Korea aims for a contract in Romania involving several hundred K2 Black Panther tanks. This would be the Koreans' second foothold in Europe outside of Poland. Here are the achievements of this machine.
South Korea conducted a dynamic demonstration at a training ground in Romania, showcasing the performance of the K2 Black Panther tank to guests. This machine, alongside 54 M1A2 SEP V3 Abrams tanks, could form Bucharest's armoured strength.
In the long term, Romania plans to acquire up to 300 tanks as part of a considerable cooperation involving other weapon systems. Additionally, Romania wants to negotiate the best possible conditions regarding delivery dates and technical support, which would be much more difficult with significant players like the USA or Germany.
A clue regarding South Korea's flexibility in these matters is the agreement to substantial contractual penalties in the procedure concerning K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. South Korea is a relatively new player in the international arms trade scene and is currently building its reputation.
K2 Black Panther - an armoured beast from Korea
The K2 Black Panther tanks are machines weighing about 55 tonnes, significantly lighter than the approximate 70 tonnes characteristic of the newest versions of Leopard 2A8 and M1A2 SEP V2/3 Abrams tanks.
The Koreans achieved this lower weight, like the Russians and French, by reducing the crew to three people, allowing for a smaller turret. However, it is worth noting that, 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 armour sections to direct the force of any ammunition explosion outward.
Another advantage is that the autoloader, unlike a human loader, provides a consistent rate of fire in all conditions, including rugged terrain. This enables a firing rate of about 10 rounds per minute for the primary 120 mm CN08 gun, which is 6.6 metres long and similar to the one used in the Leopard 2A6 tanks.
This is not the end of its advantages. The tank can be equipped with reactive armour packages and the Korean Active Protection System (KAPS), which aligns with current trends. This system is conceptually similar to the Israeli Trophy HV, which has proven highly effective during conflicts in the Gaza Strip.
