Romania may sign contract for K2 Black Panther tanks with South Korea by 2025.

As reported by Defense Romania on October 4, 2024, at the Korea Army International Defense Exhibition (KADEX 2024), Hyundai Rotem, the manufacturer, confirmed that the K2's testing in Romania yielded successful results, and discussions about a contract are ongoing. A potential agreement regarding the acquisition of K2 Black Panther tanks by Romania could be reached as early as 2025.
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As of recent counts, around 410 K2 tanks have been produced across multiple production lots, making it a significant element of South Korea's defense framework. (Picture source: ROKA)

Romania has already entered into an agreement with the United States for 54 M1A2 Abrams tanks under the "Main Battle Tank" program, using a government-to-government procedure. This acquisition, valued at roughly 1 billion euros, includes modernized M1A2 variants, 12 additional tank-based vehicles, and supporting equipment such as ammunition and training boosters. The process received approval from Romania’s Defense Commission in May 2023, and deliveries are expected to start in 2026.

On November 9, 2023, the U.S. State Department authorized a larger Foreign Military Sale package to Romania, estimated at $2.53 billion, encompassing 54 M1A2 SEP v3 tanks, 4 M88A2 recovery vehicles, 4 M1074 Joint Assault Bridges, and 4 M1150 Assault Breachers. Additional components include 54 M240C machine guns, mine rollers, transport systems, and training support equipment. The Romanian Ministry of National Defense has affirmed that the actual purchase value aligns with the approved parliamentary budget of approximately $1.07 billion, which will be confirmed upon Congress’s final approval.

The M1A2 SEP v3 Abrams features advanced armor with depleted uranium and optional active protection systems to counter multiple threat types. Its primary armament is a 120mm smoothbore gun capable of utilizing modern ammunition, while enhanced systems like the Improved Forward-Looking Infrared and Ammunition DataLink support operational versatility. Romania’s acquisition aims to strengthen its defense capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank, complementing existing systems such as Patriot and HIMARS missiles, Piranha V armored vehicles, and F-16 aircraft, as part of its broader strategic partnership with the United States.

The M1A2 SEP v3's primary armament is a 120mm smoothbore gun capable of utilizing modern ammunition, while enhanced systems like the Improved Forward-Looking Infrared and Ammunition DataLink support operational versatility. (Picture source: US DoD)

Having already invested in Abrams tanks, Romania is considering a model similar to Poland’s, which involves integrating both K2 and Abrams tanks within its military fleet. Representatives from Hyundai Rotem, the manufacturer of the K2, have indicated that the acquisition plan is flexible; an initial purchase of a single battalion could lead to broader collaboration, with potential involvement from the Romanian defense industry in production and support processes.

Demonstration firings of the K2 were conducted in May at the Smârdan Combat Training Center, with Hyundai Rotem sharing videos to highlight the tank’s operational capabilities. Later showcased at the BSDA 2024 exhibition, the K2 has been tested in various climates, including extreme cold in Norway and high temperatures in Oman, to ensure its versatility in different operational environments. These demonstrations follow a 2023 defense cooperation conference where Romania outlined plans to procure approximately 300 new tanks to replace its aging T-55AM and TR-85 tanks.

Field and firing tests of the K2 Black Panther in Romania are scheduled for 2024, with military and government officials from Romania and South Korea expected to observe. These tests will provide Romania with additional information on the K2’s suitability for its defense requirements. The tests mark a significant phase in the acquisition process, which includes assessing how well the K2 adapts to Romania’s specific operational settings and environmental conditions.

In a 2023 defense cooperation conference, Romania outlined plans to procure approximately 300 new tanks to replace its aging T-55AM and TR-85 tanks. (Picture source: US DoD)

The South Korean K2 Black Panther was developed in response to the country’s goal of establishing self-reliance in defense production and replacing its aging M48 Patton tanks. The project, initiated in 1995, aimed to create a tank compatible with network-centric, high-speed maneuver warfare. Hyundai Rotem spearheaded its development, and the tank officially entered service with the South Korean Army (ROKA) in 2014 after extensive testing and prototyping phases. As of recent counts, around 410 K2 tanks have been produced across multiple production lots, making it a significant element of South Korea's defense framework.

Equipped with a 120mm 55-caliber smoothbore gun, the K2 can fire various munitions, including APFSDS and HEAT rounds. The autoloading system allows it to achieve a firing rate of up to 10 rounds per minute, with a total capacity of 40 rounds. It also features a Korean-developed munition, the KSTAM (Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition), designed for top-attack engagement of targets within a range of 2 to 8 kilometers. Secondary armament includes a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, enhancing its ability to engage both armored and soft targets.

Powered by a 1,500-horsepower 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine, the K2 can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h on paved roads and 50 km/h across rough terrain. The tank has an operational range of approximately 450 kilometers and can accelerate from 0 to 32 km/h in around 7 to 9 seconds, depending on the specific engine model. The K2 also utilizes an advanced in-arm suspension unit (ISU) system, which allows it to adjust its height and posture, thereby improving its handling over various terrains and expanding its gun elevation range.

The K2 also utilizes an advanced in-arm suspension unit (ISU) system, which allows it to adjust its height and posture, thereby improving its handling over various terrains and expanding its gun elevation range. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The tank’s passive protection includes a composite armor system combining MIL-12560H steel and silicon carbide ceramic plates, supplemented by modular Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) and Non-Explosive Reactive Armor (NERA) packages. Additionally, the K2 incorporates an overpressure system to defend against chemical and biological threats, an automatic fire suppression system, and neutron shielding to protect the crew from radiation exposure.

For active defense, the K2 is equipped with radar and laser warning receivers that detect threats such as anti-tank guided missiles. Upon detection, it can release multispectral smoke grenades, which obscure its position from enemy targeting systems. Future enhancements planned under the K2 Product Improvement Program (PIP) include a hard-kill active protection system, designed to intercept incoming projectiles before they impact the tank.

The K2 Black Panther is operated primarily by the South Korean Army, with Poland and Türkiye acquiring or adapting it for their own needs. Variants include the K2GF, tailored to Polish military requirements, and the Altay, developed by Türkiye with design support from South Korean firms. Additional proposed variants such as the K2EX for global export, the K2ME for the Middle East, and the K2NO for Norway feature further modifications to suit regional conditions and specific operational requirements.

The autoloading system of the K2 allows it to achieve a firing rate of up to 10 rounds per minute, with a total capacity of 40 rounds. (Picture source: ROKA)