Production of the South Korean national main battle tank K-2 "Black Panter" will begin shortly after a one-year delay due to transmission problems. TsAMTO reports with reference to the "Corea Times" and information on the Defense Procurement Programs Agency of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea (DAPA). Additional tests have confirmed the suitability of the national engine-transmission department as a part of a 12-cylinder 1500 hp diesel engine. and transmission for operation.
According to a DAPA representative, all the deficiencies that had occurred have been eliminated and an agreement for the serial production of the tank will be signed as soon as possible. The adoption of MBT K-2 into service with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea is planned at the end of 2011. Production of 390 K-2 tanks was planned to begin in 2010 after the completion of field tests. The tank is intended to replace the MBT K-1 and the obsolete American M-48 Paton tanks currently in operation. But a field test in July 2009 revealed deficiencies in engine and transmission performance.
In December 2009, the country's National Assembly decided to cut by 50 billion won in funding for the production of new tanks in the 2010 defense budget (88.2 billion won). The country's defense minister, Kim Ta-jung, said that despite the program being behind schedule, plans for the production of the first 100 MBTs by 2014 remain unchanged. MBT K-2 was created by the Defense Development Agency in conjunction with 20 South Korean firms led by Rotem. The program budget is estimated at $ 230 million.
For the first time, the K-2 was demonstrated in 2007 and is today the main product of the South Korean defense industry, intended for equipping the country's armed forces and selling for export. The Republic of Korea has already entered into a K-2 technology transfer agreement with Turkey.
The tank is armed with a 120-mm smooth-bore stabilized cannon with a barrel length of 55 calibers with an automatic loading system, a 12, 7-mm heavy machine gun K-6, 7, 62-mm coaxial machine gun and has an electric gun / turret drive. Power plant manufactured by "STX Engin" with a capacity of 1500 hp. provides a speed of up to 70 km / h when driving on the highway and 50 km / h - on rough terrain. The air intake pipe allows the tank to force water obstacles up to 4, 1 m deep and open fire on the move. MBT is equipped with digital weapons control systems, protection systems against chemical, biological and nuclear hazards. The crew of the tank is 3 people.
