K2 Black Panther

Not everything could be produced domestically, indeed. However they managed to design it themselves. The benefit of this did not only come from the financial factor. It is possible that domestic product cost more than purchasing directly from another country. However by becoming independent in providing their weapon systems, some of the technical specifications can be improved freely without relying on the manufacturer. The wishes of the user could also be accommodated. Judging from the export side, independence also gave more profit to South Korea because they could trade without the pressure of another country.

One of the examples was by manufacturing their Main Battle Tank (MBT). The replacement of M48 Patton AD that belonged to South Korea was becoming more and more urgent. As a note, Daehanminguk Yuk-gun or RoKA/Republic of Korea Army operated 800 units of M48 in 2 variants, M48A3K and M48A5K. RoKA was known to have operated more than 1.400 units of K1 tanks and the more modern K1A1 units because they have been operating since 1987 and 2001. The supplying of the newest MBT was meant as replacement for M48 also as a complement for the K1 and K1A1 armada.

The Most Expensive Price Tag
The latest MBT from South Korea labeled K2 Black Panther has already noted at the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive MBT in the world. With the price up to 9 million USD per unit, K2 price tag is way more expensive than M1A2 Abrams or even Leclerc.


However the South Korean government responded. If we have a look at the inside, K2 consists of many sophisticated technologies that surely had impact on the price. From here it is obvious that South Korea followed the step of Western countries, where quality aspect is more sought after than quantity. South Korea realizes that North Korea, which is still an obvious threat for them, is more superior in both quantity and quality.

Judging from the engine, its performance can be predicted instantly. With bigger power than the K1 engine, the ratio of power per weight is obviously got bigger too. K2 is claimed by its manufacturer to be able to move in steep road up to 60 degrees and pass obstacle with 1 meter high. With only 30 minutes of preparation, K2 can swim across the river (water fording) 4 meters depth. After installing the snorkel, K2 is ready to go for a swim. Its dome or turret is designed to be waterproofed. The unique thing is its compartment was designed to be able to sustain water up to 400 liter. Its function is none other than to act as a weight so that the chain track will step firmly on the bottom of the river.


Because of its compact size, its designer could install a gas-turbine engine made by Samsung Techwin. The engine is used to give power for K2 electronic devices have 100 hp. Therefore, to make it fuel-efficient, when K2 stops the main engine can be shutdown, while the power for the main components are still available. The design of its engine is almost look alike with the engine installed on the tank that comes from the fashion capital.


Another exciting feature is on its suspension, named ISU (In-Arm Suspension Unit). Each of its wheels is equipped with this independent suspension system; which makes it possible for K2 to be elevated or with a certain angle based on the field requirement. This is very useful to help coordinating the cannon turret, especially in extreme field.

Undoubted Lethality
The point of having an MBT is its lethality, of course. K2 lethality is undoubted; considering its cannon is licensed from L55 cannon manufactured by Rheinmetall which is known as the best cannon for tank. The caliber used is still adjusted using NATO standard, which is 120 mm. therefore it is obvious when there are many observers who compare Black Panther with Leclerc. Other than the existence of its supporting engine, K2 is also equipped with autoloader feature that can automatically load the shell for the L55 cannon. This is probably the best achievement made by the South Korean researchers considering the original L55 cannon is not equipped with autoloader feature. This feature was made based on the autoloader design made by GIAT which was installed within Leclerc.


Even though South Korea manufactures K2 ammunition by themselves, this MBT does not feel reluctant in firing NATO standard ammunition, including Abrams standard ammunition that belong to the US Army cavalry that is stationed there.

Other than APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) projectile and HEAT (High Explosive Anti Tank), South Korea also manufactured a special projectile for K2 which is KSTAM (Korean Smart Top-Action Munnition). This projectile with 8 km range is not a missile; it is just regular ammunition. What makes it different is its trajectory and target-guidance system.


KSTAM is fired in high elevation, almost the same like mortar or mobile artillery. To reach its target, KSTAM is equipped with guidance system which is a combination from infrared, millimeter band radar, and radiometer. KSTAM is designed to hit the upper part of the tank, because that part is the weak part of tanks. Other than heat releasing part, there is a hatch at the upper part of a tank that provides access to the turret. This part is the most targeted part other than other parts of the tank. To eliminate close-range target, a combination of K6 12.7 mm caliber heavy machine gun and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun is available. Again, these two calibers are adjusted using NATO standard. 

Logistical issue seems to be the reason.
K2 threat is supported by reliable fire control system (FCS) with built-in trigger-delay feature mechanism which is integrated with laser designator. When K2 moves in an off-road field while firing, this device enables a final checking before the projectile is launched. If the laser designator indicates that the target is moving outside the accurate firing range, then the computer will automatically reconfigure the target (reacquired targeting).


K2 is also equipped with millimeter band radar which also serves as MAWS (Missile Approach Warning System). Optic sensor equipment such as panoramic sight is also included. However, the most important thing is that K2 was designed from the start to be able to cooperate and coordinate with integrated network, or better known as network-centric capability.

That capability is supported with the availability of the C4I modul (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence) uplink, GPS (Global Positioning System) uplink, and IFF/SIF (Identification Friend or Foe/Selective Identification Feature) which are compatible with STANAG 4579 requirements. All sensors are processed using a special Battle Management Computer System.


Based on those special features, it is quite obvious why K2 is given a high price. If we calculate it, purchasing a secondhand Germany Leopard 2A4 and then upgrading it with the same electronic equipment might result at the same cost as purchasing a K2. That is why, South Korea feels very confident with K2.

Other countries have also put their trusts on K2. Turkey, which is also eager in developing their own MBT, has bought the K2 design. The project called MITUP (Milli Tank Uretimi Projesi) Altay has different shape than K2; however the system design is very much alike because South Korea is working together with their partner from Turkey to develop Altay. We can only wait and see, whether there will be another country who will follow Turkey’s step, or at least to become a buyer of K2 which is rumored to be the best MBT in the world.