The South Korean company Hyundai Rotem recently held its first demonstration of K2 tanks in Romania . Romania has agreed with a South Korean defense company to purchase advanced K2 Black Panther main battle tanks. This initiative, led by the General Directorate of Armaments of Romania, aims to acquire approximately 300 new battle tanks to modernize and improve the efficiency of the Romanian armed forces.
Discussions began in July 2023 and became a critical step in Romania's defense strategy. The K2 Black Panther, known for its state-of-the-art technology and superior combat performance, was recently spotted in Romania where it was shown its capabilities to Romanian military officials and defense experts.
The K2 Black Panther, developed by South Korean defense company Hyundai Rotem, entered service in 2014. It is mainly used by the Army of the Republic of Korea.
Recently, Poland signed agreements to purchase K2 tanks to strengthen its own military capabilities.
Known for its advanced technology and superior battlefield performance, the K2 features advanced armor protection, a 120mm smoothbore gun and state-of-the-art fire control systems. Its hydropneumatic suspension provides excellent maneuverability on various surfaces, and its powerful engine ensures high mobility and speed. In addition, the K2 is equipped with an automatic target tracking system and can fire a variety of ammunition, making it one of the most powerful and versatile tanks in the world.
Hyundai Rotem's live demonstration was an important event, allowing Romanian officials to observe advanced features K2 tanks in action. These features include advanced armor, superior firepower and state-of-the-art mobility, which together represent a significant leap in military technology for Romania.
The potential deal with Hyundai Rotem is seen as a key moment for Romania's defense industry, potentially leading to increased cooperation and further modernization projects. While negotiations continue, the Romanian government remains committed to strengthening its national defense and ensuring that the armed forces are equipped with the best available technology.
The move aims to replace the country's aging fleet of 377 tanks, which includes older models such as the T-55AM and TR-85. K2 tanks will significantly increase the combat readiness and strategic capabilities of Romania, providing the armed forces with the most modern equipment.
Currently, the Romanian military has a fleet of 377 main battle tanks, including 220 T-55AM, 103 TR-85 and 54 TR-85 M1. Although these models have served reliably all this time, they represent old technology that Romania is looking to upgrade.
The current tank fleet of the Romanian Army mainly consists of TR-85M1 and T-55AM units. The TR-85M1, an upgraded version of the original TR-85, has been in service since the 1990s. Despite some modernization, it is still inferior in firepower, mobility and survivability compared to other NATO main battle tanks. Romania plans further upgrades to the TR-85M1 to address these issues, including improved situational awareness, new fire suppression systems, and improved gun stabilization systems.
In addition to the TR-85M1, Romania also operates the old Soviet T-55AM, an upgraded version of the Soviet T-55. However, this tank is gradually being phased out.