- Messages
- 146
- Reactions
- Nation of residence
-
- Nation of origin
-
Photo of K2 Black Panther MBT in NATO tri-color camouflage for Polish Land Forces accidentally leaked from Defense Acquisition Program Administration documents six days ago. Currently, the original photo has been deleted.
"I just hope that the newly produced tanks pass the test safely. After this stage, the only thing left is to ship the tank to Poland via a container ship"
Hyundai Rotem production plant in Changwon, Korea, on the 16th. Chief manager Kim Mi-jung's expression was full of tension as she watched the K2 tank driving test. When the K2 tanks entered the performance test site one after another, they put their hands together and hoped that the test would pass without any problems. He said, "I've been watching K2 tanks in front of my eyes for years, but the tanks that are currently being tested for performance are meaningful. "It is the site where we are writing a new milestone in K-defense, given that it is Korea's first export tank as well as our company," he said with pride.
However, all the processes of the K2 tank have not been easy from the beginning. The K2 tank development project was launched in 1995 with the aim of replacing the aging M48 tank, but it had to go through difficult times as defects were found one after another in the tank's core parts. Defects were found in engines in 2009 and transmissions the following year. However, after compensating for most of the defects except for the transmission in 2019, the mass production of the second tank began.
Hyundai Rotem's plant in Changwon looked busy with last-minute work on the production of K2 tanks, which will soon leave for Poland under tight security. This is the first time that Hyundai Rotem has unveiled a K2 tank assembly and performance test site for Polish exports to the media. In particular, the performance test was in the final inspection stage to announce the imminent release, which required the best security.
Hyundai Rotem's production and export of tanks to Poland is the first case of tank exports in South Korea. This is why domestic and foreign defense industries are paying keen attention to the export of K2 tanks. Hyundai Rotem, which signed the first implementation contract with Poland last month, is currently focusing on producing 180 tanks for the first delivery.
The prototypes completed early are undergoing various performance checks under the observation of the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ). There are about 200 test items alone. Hyundai Rotem officials explain that due to the nature of weapons, all functions must be interlocked like cogwheels to operate normally, so even minor parts can never be neglected.
Due to the large-scale arms export contract with Poland, Hyundai Rotem's factory had more work, and the production site was also greatly encouraged. Each facility building, such as welding, processing, and assembly, seemed busy lighting up the workplace lights and loading parts without stopping operation. Tanks were tightly located on the conveyor belts lined up, waiting for the workers to reach them.
Hyundai Rotem is also making all-out efforts to secure talent as demand has soared not only in Korea but also abroad. Recently, an unprecedented large-scale special recruitment notice has been issued to recruit new and experienced employees at the same time. It is evaluated that it is very unusual in the defense industry to hire new employees with experience in various fields for quality management and establishing European branches in Poland as well as defense technology. Given that there are 1,000 primary and secondary suppliers related to K2 tanks in the region, some say that they will contribute considerably to the development of the local economy, including job creation.
With the first export of K2 tanks, Hyundai Rotem plans to expand its domestic tank exports to Europe, known as Germany's exclusive arms market, by establishing a European branch in Poland as well as the Middle Eastern countries that are actively introducing tanks.
Developers of the K2 tank plan to take a step further from the current technology level and actively develop a new mobile main battle tank for future warfare. A researcher at the Agency for Defense Development said, "The core of the next generation of main battle tanks will be mobility, unmanned turrets equipped with 130 mm tank guns, and protection capabilities, and major defense exporters such as the U.S. and Germany have begun developing next-generation main battle tanks. we will also start developing new main battle tanks (K3) before it is too late"
Article Source: https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25104155#home
Last edited:
Any news in korean media about morocco being interested in choumo launchers?
