The war in Ukraine accelerated the development of tracked and ground combat vehicles, which must be acknowledged. On the battlefield, both successes and failures are recorded. They are used to generate new ideas for improving the combat capability and efficiency of today’s combat vehicles. Or for the development of entirely new ones. This is true of South Korea’s new stealth tank.
South Korea will have to counter North Korea regionally. Seoul has already started to phase out outdated ground systems. K2 tanks are replacing M-series and Russian-made T-series tanks that have been in service for 40 years. The K2, once considered the most modern and combat-ready tank in the world, may soon be forgotten.
Hyundai Rotem
Hyundai Rotem is working on a new tank. The company presented a concept for a next-generation tank, which is expected to be operational by 2030. The next-generation tank features a stealth design that is undetectable by the enemy, a 130 mm smoothbore gun, and increased attack power.
The radius of action has been increased by the use of multi-purpose drones and missiles, while the number of crew members has been reduced by the use of an unmanned turret.
It is designed to enable autonomous driving and remote control using 4th industrial revolution technology. A tank with a crew member can scout and attack enemy forces while the unmanned tank is piloted remotely. It also has equipment to neutralise improvised explosive devices that the enemy will place on roads.
A hydrogen-based electrification device and an active suspension device improve mobility, and reactive armour is added to the tank’s sides to improve protection.
Concept Stage
The new Stet Tank is still shrouded in mystery. As the end of the decade approaches, a new one will be released. Experts say Hyundai Rotem’s new stealth tank looks more like a light tank concept.
Some even made a direct link between Poland’s ordered K2 tanks and the PL-01 light tank concept. The design similarities are numerous, and it is possible that South Korea collaborated with Poland on this development. The agreement between South Korea and Poland for the acquisition of K2 tanks may include the PL-01 project, which South Korea will take over. However, this is only a guess; there is no evidence that this is true.
The Republic of Korea has no involvement in the PL-01 concept. This is an idea developed by the Polish OBRUM in collaboration with BAE Systems. The PL-01 is based on the CV90120-T light tank from Sweden. It first appeared ten years ago.
K2’s modernization
A plan was also proposed to improve the characteristics of the K2 tank used by the Ground Forces’ mechanised units. South Korea must systematically improve the performance of the K2 tank from the planning stage, just as countries around the world continue to improve tank performance by applying the latest technology while reflecting on the lessons of the Ukraine war.
Specifically, the active defence system will be strengthened in light of the precedent that a significant number of Russian tanks were attacked and destroyed by anti-tank missiles while advancing without any active defence system during the Ukraine war.
The installation of a remote fire control system [RCWS] prevents the crew from leaving the tank and firing. The front special armour has been improved, as has the 360-degree situational awareness system, and the sight and turret drive system. The safety of the K2 tank is increased when a multi-layer defence system is added to block drone and anti-tank missile attacks.
Multilayered defense
The multi-layered defence system, which underwent an operational concept study last year, divides threat response measures against armoured vehicles by distance. Connecting to new equipment while using sensors and weaponry mounted on tanks and armored vehicles increases cost-effectiveness.
The multi-layered defence system, which underwent an operational concept study last year, divides threat response measures against armoured vehicles by distance. Connecting to new equipment while using sensors and weaponry mounted on tanks and armoured vehicles increases cost-effectiveness.
If a drone or missile is detected by radar at a range of up to 8 kilometers, it is identified by optical equipment at a range of 5 kilometers. They are neutralized with machine guns, active protection, and disruption when they are less than 2 kilometers away.
