K2 Black Panther

For the Chinese light tank also called Black Panther, see Type 15 tank.

K2 Black Panther
K2 Black Panthers of the 11th Maneuver Division of the Republic of Korea Army in tank field training
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originSouth Korea
Service history
In service2014–present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
DesignerAgency for Defense Development
Doosan Mottrol
Hyundai Rotem
Poongsan Corporation
Samsung Thales
Samyang Comtech
WIA
Designed1995–2008
ManufacturerHyundai Rotem
Unit cost₩7.8 billion (production batch 1)[1]
US$8.5 million (constant 2009 USD)
Produced2008–present
No. built
  • ROK Army: Lot 1: 100, Lot 2: 106[2], Lot 3: 54[3], Lot 4: 150 (ordered)[4]
  • Polish Land Forces: Lot 1: 180 (ordered)
  • Total: 440
Specifications
MassCurb weight: 55 metric tons (54 long tons; 61 short tons)
Combat weight: 56 metric tons (55 long tons; 62 short tons)[5]
LengthOverall: 10.8 meters (35 ft 5 in)
Chassis: 7.5 meters (24 ft 7 in)
Width3.6 meters (11 ft 10 in)
HeightHighest: 2.4 meters (7 ft 10 in)
Lowest: 2 meters (6 ft 7 in)
Crew3 (commander, gunner and driver)
ArmorMIL-12560H armor steel and silicon carbide non-oxide ceramic plate along with ERA and NERA modular add-on armor
Main
armament
Hyundai WIA CN08 120 mm 55 caliber smoothbore gun (40 rounds)
Secondary
armament
1× 12.7×99mm (.50 BMG) K6 heavy machine gun (3,200 rounds)
1× 7.62×51mm NATO coaxial machine gun (12,000 rounds)
Engine
Power/weight27.3 hp/t (20.35 kW/t)[5]
Transmission
  • Lot 1, 2: RENK HSWL 295 TM (5 forward, 5 reverse gears), dry weight: 2,450 kg
  • Lot 3: SNT Dynamics EST15K (6 forward, 3 reverse gears, in development), dry weight: 2,500 kg[8]
SuspensionSemi-active in-arm suspension unit (ISU) with dynamic track tension system (DTTS)[5]
Fuel capacity1,296 liters (342 U.S. gal)
Operational
range
450 km (280 mi)[5]
Maximum speed Paved road: 70 km/h (43 mph)
Cross country: 50 km/h (31 mph)[5]
Acceleration from 0–32 km/h (0–20 mph) in 7.47 seconds (MT883 Ka-501) or 8.77 seconds (DV27K)

K2 Black Panther (Korean: K-2 흑표; Hanja: K-2 黑豹; RR: K-2 Heukpyo) is a South Korean fourth-generation main battle tank (MBT), designed by the Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by Hyundai Rotem. The tank's design began in the 1990s to meet the strategic requirements of the Republic of Korea Army's reform for three-dimensional, high-speed maneuver warfare[9] based on use of network-centric warfare.[10][11][12]

Mass production began in 2013, and the first K2s were deployed with the South Korean armed forces in July 2014.[13]

The K2 Black Panther is recognized as one of the most capable battle tanks in the world, featuring an advanced fire-control system, in-arm suspension, and a radar, laser rangefinder, and crosswind sensor for lock-on targeting. Its thermographic camera tracks targets up to 9.8 km, and its millimetre-band radar acts as a Missile Approach Warning System, enhancing situational awareness. The K2's autoloader reduces crew size by 25%, providing a faster rate of fire, better fuel efficiency, and lower maintenance costs compared to tanks like the Abrams and Leopard. Additionally, the K2 can operate in indirect fire mode, offering key advantages over Western designs. Known for its cost-effectiveness, the K2 is a competitive alternative to the Abrams and Leopard, with similar capabilities at a lower operational cost. The K2's computer system also deploys smoke grenades to counter incoming projectiles.[14]

  1. ^ 방사청 "흑표전차 원가 대당 78.1억원". Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  2. ^ 케이(K)2전차 2차 양산 전력화 완료. Defense Acquisition Program Administration. 20 January 2022. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  3. ^ 현대로템, '흑표' K2전차 3차 양산 사업 수주. Hyundai Motor Group. 22 December 2020. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  4. ^ Ji Sung-rim (26 May 2023). "K2 전차 5년간 2조원대 양산...항공통제기 추가 구매". MBC. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e "K2 Main Battle Tank". Hyundai Rotem. 2023. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Military Diesel Engine". STX Engine. 2018. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  7. ^ "2019 Korea Defense Products Guide" (PDF). Korea Defense Industry Trade Support Center. 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022. p. 87
  8. ^ "Powerpacks & Drive Systems" (PDF). SNT Dynamics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022. p. 14
  9. ^ 입체 고속 기동전. KBS. 1 October 1996. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  10. ^ Kim Seok and Son Seung-hyun (31 December 2008). "A Concept Study on Efficiently Improving Performance for Korean MBT" (PDF). Defence Agency for Technology and Quality. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  11. ^ Defense Media Agency (10 March 2016). [첨단국가의 초석, 방위산업] 세계수준의 명품, K2 흑표전차 ①. 국방TV. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  12. ^ Defense Media Agency (5 April 2016). [첨단국가의 초석, 방위산업] 세계수준의 명품, K2 흑표전차 ②. 국방TV. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  13. ^ Kim Moon-kyung (27 September 2014). "K2전차 실전배치후 첫 공개...'백발백중'". YTN. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Abrams i Czarna Pantera kontra rosyjskie T-14 i T-90M". Default (in Polish). 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-01-23.