Korean tanks vie for major Romanian contract after dynamic demo
South Korea vies for a contract involving several hundred K2 Black Panther tanks in Romania. This would be the Koreans' second foothold in Europe. Here are the achievements of this impressive machine.
South Korea conducted a dynamic demonstration at a training ground in Romania, showcasing the performance of the K2 Black Panther tank to invited guests. This machine, alongside 54 M1A2 SEP V3 Abrams tanks, could form Bucharest's armoured might.
In the long term, they plan to acquire up to 300 tanks, which would be part of a more extensive cooperation involving other weapon systems. Additionally, Romania wants to negotiate the best possible conditions regarding delivery dates and technical support, which are typically more challenging when dealing with larger suppliers like the USA or Germany.
A clue regarding South Korea's compliance in these matters is, for example, the agreement to substantial contractual penalties in the procedure concerning K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. South Korea is, it can be said, a relatively fresh player on the international arms trade scene and is only now building its reputation.
K2 Black Panther - an armored beast from Korea
The K2 Black Panther tanks weigh about 55,000 kilograms, significantly less than the approximate 70,000 kilograms of the newest Leopard 2A8 and M2A2 SEP V2/3 Abrams tanks.
Like the Russians and French, the Koreans achieved low weights, reducing the crew to three people and 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, and have weakened armour sections to direct the force of any ammunition explosion outward.
It is also worth noting that the autoloader, unlike a human loader, allows for a constant rate of fire in all conditions, including while driving on rugged terrain. This enables a firing rate of about 10 rounds per minute for the primary 120 mm CN08 gun, which is 55 calibres long and similar to that used in the Leopard 2A6 tanks.
This is not the end of its advantages, as in line with current trends, the tank can be equipped with reactive armour packages and the Korean Active Protection System (KAPS). This system is conceptually similar to the Israeli Trophy HV, which has proven highly effective during combat in the Gaza Strip.
