The second export contract for the domestic K2 tank to Poland was confirmed on the 2nd (local time). This second batch of exports is for the K2 tank (K2PL), which is being modified for Poland. Unlike the first batch, which delivered K2 tanks with the same specifications as the Korean military, the second batch will produce the K2PL model, tailored to local conditions in Poland. This was one of the requirements from Poland.
The K2PL, a key factor in the success of the export, was made possible by the 'customized tank platform' technology developed by Korean defense after undergoing 40 years of trial and error.
According to military authorities, Korea began developing tanks in 1976. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) started the development by modifying the M-series tanks provided by the United States, but the efforts for indigenous development repeatedly failed.
A defense industry official said, "At that time, there was barely any infrastructure or supply chain for metals or electricity, which are fundamental to weapon production, so tank development was almost a dream." In the end, it took 8 years for the K1 tank to be produced.
The K1 tank was developed based on the design documents of the M-series tanks sent by the United States. Therefore, even changing a single component required U.S. approval, making it difficult to modify for exports or for the Korean military.
It was from this time that the government felt the need for 'domestic tank production.' Korean defense officially launched the next-generation Korean tank introduction project in 1995.
The goal of the project was to secure tank system assembly and design technology. Even if there are many good components, the absence of technology to integrate them into a single unit renders it meaningless. Researchers felt the hassle of needing to ask the U.S. side questions like, 'Does this component work when inserted?' and 'If it works, what is the principle behind it?' while already producing the K1.
The researchers invited overseas tank experts for study and continually disassembled and reassembled various components to understand how they worked. As a result, they were able to unveil the first prototype of the K2 tank, the XK-2, in 2007.
After the K2 tank was powered, experiences and improvement technologies accumulated over about 10 years of operation in actual combat units contributed to the creation of the current K2 tank platform.
The K2 tank platform is a 'customized tank' that can easily transform according to the request of the buyer. For example, Poland is a flat terrain area where tanks can easily be exposed to risks such as drones or mines. The Polish government has requested the inclusion of next-generation active defense systems in the K2PL. Thanks to the 40 years of technology in platform production, it is possible to ensure that any equipment can interact with the tank.
The Korean government and Hyundai Rotem are also promoting this 'customized module' technology as a strength. They emphasized the capability to enhance performance in snowy environments for Nordic countries.
They also indicated that, for many countries in the Middle East with high temperatures and desert terrain, additional cooling systems could be added. The K2 tank used by the Korean military is equipped with a function to adjust the height on both sides according to the terrain, taking into account the various terrains of the Korean Peninsula.
A defense industry official noted, "Recognizing the importance of system design and assembly in the past and embarking on the development of the K2 tank has returned as the achievement of exports," adding, "The successful domestic production through extensive research has greatly helped not only comprehensive system corporations but also numerous collaborating companies."