The test failure and defect of the Korean EST15K transmission began for a really trivial reason.
S&T, the developer of the transmission, designed the wrong cutting and bolt fastening when manufacturing the transmission. And because of this, the interior of the transmission was damaged during the 9,600km durability test, and the test was stopped. Later, the defect in the transmission was resolved, but when the Ministry of National Defense decided to use a German-made transmission for the tertiary production of the K2 tank, transmission developer S&T protested to the Ministry of National Defense. The failure of the durability test of a Korean transmission is not a defect in the performance of the transmission, but an incident caused by a minor design mistake by a transmission manufacturer. And because of this, there was a lot of controversy in Korea because the test for engine and transmission durability was given as an advantageous environment for German companies.
South Korea develops tanks or armored vehicles by referring to German durability test data. For example, when Germany developed the MT-883 Ka500 engine, it tested durability tests of more than 10000 km.
I don't know if you know, but in South Korea, 70% of the land is made up of mountains. So in South Korea, engine problems with armored vehicles occur really frequently. For this reason, South Korea's Ministry of National Defense does not approve the delivery of engines and transmissions unless it meets the 9,600km durability test. Fortunately, the Korean DV27K engine, which Turkey will import, passed the 9,600km durability test.
Currently, the improvement project of the EST15K transmission is underway, and the design of the transmission may be changed for use in K2 and Altay. The K2 tank is a 55-ton tank, and the Altay tank is 65-ton tank. However, the main operational topography of the Altay tank is not a mountain, but a low flatland or hill, so there is no need for a high-powered engine with more than 1,500 horsepower. Although the exact durability test criteria of the Altay tank's engine and transmission are unknown, the
EST15K transmission is designed for use in engines of up to 1650 horsepower and tanks of 65 tons or more, so I don't think the 9600km durability test will fail even if the Altay tank uses a Korean transmission.