XK2

XK2 main battle tank

The ROK Defense Ministry recently revealed prototype for a next-generation main battle tank, namely the XK2, or eXperimental K2, which will be the successor to the K1 series main battle tanks. The XK2 is in its final design phase, and will see its initial production by 2008 or 2009.

The XK2 will feature advanced sensor packages and fire control system more advanced than that of American M1A2 and French LeClerc, 120 mm L55 main gun with enough power to defeat the frontal armor of most main battle tanks, new improved 1500 horsepower MTU licensed from Germany, (up from 1200 horsepower that of K1 series') and possibly second-generation or improved Chobham armor or derivative for additional protection from ATGMs.

The XK2 inherits the same type of extensive suspension system that the K1 series has, and thus it will be able to "sit", "stand", and "kneel". "Sitting" gives the tank lower profile and offer better handling over roads. "Standing" allows the tank to have better maneuverability over rough terrain. "Kneeling" increases the amount of angle that the tank's gun barrel can elevate and depress, which allows the tank to fire its main gun downhill--something that very few tanks, if there are any others at all, can do--and give it better ability to engage low-flying aircraft.

Defense against incoming missiles include both soft- and hard-kill anti-missile systems. XK2 will be equipped with all-bearing LASER detection pod that indicates from which direction the enemy is illuminating the tank from, as well as LASER and RADAR warning receivers and jammers. Hard-kill AMS consists of two anti-missile grenade launchers located rear end of the turret that can track in and destroy incoming missiles automatically before the missile can hit the tank, providing protection effective against top-armor penetrating anti-tank missiles.

The XK2 will also be equipped with a RADAR system, combined with next-generation FCS, that will allow it to track and engage low-flying aircrafts with the main gun quickly and accurately.

The armor on the XK2 will consist of two types; one being the improved second-generation Chobham or its derivative and the second being Active Defense System utilizing Explosive Reactive Armor blocks.

The ROK Army plans to field approximately 1000 to 1500 XK2 battle tanks in the future.

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