Hyundai Rotem has unveiled for the first time the actual Middle East variant of the K2 tank (K2ME) that it is refitting and developing.
Hyundai Rotem said on the 27th that it held a "K2 tank Middle East variant (K2ME) rollout ceremony" at its Changwon plant in Changwon Special City, South Gyeongsang, on the 26th and showcased, with partner firms, the actual platform of the Middle East variant of the K2 tank that is undergoing refit and development.
Attending the event were lawmakers and local government officials, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Korea Research Institute for defense Technology planning and advancement (KRIT), defense attaché offices of major Middle Eastern countries, other political and government figures from home and abroad, partner firms, and Hyundai Rotem executives and employees.
The event was made possible after an amendment to the Defense Acquisition Act stating that "defense companies may produce or possess defense materiel on their own for research and development (R&D) or promotional purposes with approval from the head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration" passed the National Assembly in Jul. last year.
Hyundai Rotem is accelerating research and development (R&D) with partner firms to further raise the roughly 90% localization rate of K2 tank parts. Whereas the use of some foreign-made parts previously restricted exports to certain regions including the Middle East, the plan now is to localize parts to secure diverse export bases and help partner firms achieve technological self-reliance. Export achievements will be shared with partner firms.
The Middle East variant of the K2 tank, which improves performance along with localization, is a ground weapons system being refit and developed with partner firms since 2024 as a weapons systems refit-development project led by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and managed by KRIT. Taking into account the region's high-temperature conditions, it is an export model capable of stable mission performance even in heat waves reaching 50 degrees Celsius.
Also displayed at the event were performance-improved components newly incorporated into the Middle East variant of the K2 tank. The domestically produced power pack, applied for the first time to an export model, is equipped with a heat radiator with enhanced cooling effect and a cooling housing that draws in outside air to maintain the function of the engine coolant. The turret includes an auxiliary turret air-conditioning unit that supplies cold air inside to maintain the function of electronic equipment and provide a comfortable environment for the crew.
A hydraulic oil cooling unit with increased cooling capacity is also mounted on the Middle East variant of the K2 tank. This device helps the in-arm suspension unit (ISU), which plays a key role in smooth driving and attitude control of the tank, operate smoothly even at high temperatures. The newly developed flexible-material fuel tank not only has high elasticity and anti-vibration performance tailored to the desert's sandy terrain but also increased capacity. Various electronic components, including a gunner's auxiliary sight specialized for high-temperature environments, have already been completed.
Hyundai Rotem CEO and President Lee Yong-bae said, "In a situation where the global security environment is changing rapidly, the research and development achievements pursued with the goal of exporting to the Middle East will help further strengthen the global competitiveness of K-defense," adding, "We will continue to work closely with the government, the military, and partner corporations to help enhance the competitiveness of Korea's defense industry."