South Korea develops the new K2ME tank to meet Saudi Arabia and UAE's future needs.

At IDEX 2025, the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem unveiled the K2ME, the Middle East variant of the K2 Black Panther main battle tank which was previously displayed as a scale model at IDEX 2023. At that time, reports indicated South Korea was negotiating a contract with the United Arab Emirates for the K2ME, including technology transfer. Since then, Hyundai Rotem has shifted focus to integrating domestically developed power packs.
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South Korean defense firms, including Hyundai Rotem, SNT Dynamics, and HD Hyundai Infracore, have now formed a collaborative effort to promote the K2ME and other South Korean products in the Middle East defense market. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

South Korean defense firms, including Hyundai Rotem, SNT Dynamics, and HD Hyundai Infracore, have now formed a collaborative effort to promote the K2ME and other South Korean products in the Middle East defense market. At IDEX 2025, this ‘Korea One Team’ highlighted the capabilities of domestically powered K2 tanks, targeting markets where Saudi Arabia and the UAE are seeking to replace aging armored fleets. Analysts estimate the tank procurement market in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to be worth approximately 18 trillion won (USD 12.42 billion).

SNT Dynamics and its affiliate SNT Motive showcased domestically developed power packs for the K2 tank, as well as a 120mm mortar system for multipurpose tactical vehicles, a 20mm three-barrel Balkan artillery remote shooting system, and the K6 heavy machine gun. The power pack had previously been integrated into Türkiye’s Altay tank, where it underwent field tests, covering 200 km per day in operational trials. Following these tests, SNT Dynamics and HD Hyundai Infracore secured an export contract with Türkiye for transmissions and engines in early 2023. The Republic of Korea Army also confirmed the use of domestic transmissions in the fourth production batch of K2 tanks.

In February 2025, SNT Dynamics signed an order contract worth 133.7 billion won (USD 92.86 million) to supply K2 tanks equipped with domestic power packs to the South Korean Army, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. The integration of domestic systems has been positioned as a means to mitigate export restrictions and improve logistical support for international customers. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration and industry stakeholders are actively promoting South Korea’s defense exports, with a focus on Poland, Romania, and the Middle East.

The K2ME is designed for operation in high-temperature desert conditions, incorporating enhanced cooling and filtration systems. This variant retains the standard layout of a modern main battle tank, with a crew of three: the driver at the front of the hull and the commander and gunner in the centrally mounted turret.

The K2ME has a combat weight of approximately 60 tons and measures 10.9 meters in length, 3.6 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height. It is powered by a 1,500-horsepower diesel engine from HD Hyundai Infracore, paired with a fully automatic transmission. The tank can reach a maximum speed of 68 km/h on paved roads and 50 km/h on unpaved terrain. It features an In-arm Suspension System (hydropneumatic suspension type) and a Dynamic Track Tension System to improve mobility.

Powered by a 1,500-horsepower diesel engine from HD Hyundai Infracore, paired with a fully automatic transmission, the K2ME can reach a maximum speed of 68 km/h on paved roads and 50 km/h on unpaved terrain. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Korea One Team has emphasized that integrating a South Korean power pack into the K2ME addresses export limitations and improves maintenance capabilities. This engine had already demonstrated operational capability in Türkiye’s Altay tank program. Hyundai Rotem has optimized the K2ME’s cooling system for high-temperature environments. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are reportedly evaluating large-scale tank procurement programs, positioning the K2ME as a potential contender for regional acquisition efforts.

The tank’s main armament is a 120mm 55-caliber smoothbore gun with an automatic loading system, carrying 40 rounds, including programmable ammunition. Secondary armaments include a 12.7mm remotely controlled weapon system on the commander’s hatch and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun next to the main gun. The turret is equipped with integrated banks of eight grenade dischargers on each side.

For protection, the K2ME has upgraded composite armor covering the hull and turret. It also includes a hard-kill Active Protection System (APS) and a drone jammer. The vehicle is equipped with a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) protection system, an automatic fire suppression system, and a 360-degree situational awareness system. Fire control features include GPS/INS navigation, a hunter-killer function, and automatic target detection and tracking.

It is worth noting that the South Korean K2 Black Panther main battle tank has been previously adapted into several variants specifically tailored for export markets, each designed to meet specific operational requirements of future or potential operators. The K2EX, for instance, integrates the Korean Active Protection System (KAPS 2), a 360° situational awareness system, and a remote-controlled weapon system with an anti-drone gun. The K2PL, developed for Poland, includes additional composite and explosive reactive armor, a hard-kill active protection system, and an anti-UAV electronic warfare system. The K2GF, also for Poland, serves as an interim solution to enhance the country's defense capabilities. The K2NO, designed for Norway, incorporates the Trophy active protection system, improved armor, and adjustments for cold-weather operations.

For protection, the K2ME possesses an upgraded composite armor covering the hull and turret, as well as a hard-kill Active Protection System (APS) and a drone jammer. (Picture source: Army Recognition)