Romania is testing South Korean K2 Black Panthers to replace outdated Soviet tanks

At the Korean Army International Defense Exhibition (KADEX 2024), the manufacturer Hyundai Rotem confirmed that the K2 tests in Romania gave successful results, and discussions regarding the contract are ongoing. A potential agreement on the purchase of K2 Black Panther tanks by Romania could be reached as early as 2025.

Romania has already signed an agreement with the United States for 54 M1A2 Abrams tanks under the Main Battle Tank program. according to the intergovernmental procedure. The acquisition, valued at around €1 billion, includes upgraded variants of the M1A2, 12 additional tank-based vehicles and support equipment such as ammunition and training boosters. The process received approval from Romania's Defense Commission in May 2023, and deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.

On November 9, 2023, the US State Department approved a larger foreign military sales package to Romania, valued at 2.53 billion USD, which covers:

• 54 M1A2 SEP v3 tanks;
• 4 M88A2 evacuation vehicles;
• 4 M1074 combined assault bridges;
• 4 M1150 attack aircraft.

Additional components include 54 M240C machine guns, mine rollers, transport systems and training support equipment. Romania's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the actual cost of the purchase is in line with the budget approved by the parliament of approximately $1.07 billion, which will be confirmed after final approval by Congress.

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Having already invested in Abrams tanks, Romania is considering a model similar to Poland's, which involves integrating K2 and Abrams tanks into its mechanized brigades. Representatives of Hyundai Rotem, the maker of the K2, said the acquisition plan is flexible; the initial purchase of one battalion could lead to wider cooperation with the potential involvement of the Romanian defense industry in production and support processes.

Demonstration firings of the K2 were conducted in May at the Smardan Combat Training Center, Hyundai Rotem shared a video to highlight the tank's operational capabilities. Later unveiled at BSDA 2024, the K2 was tested in a variety of climates, including extreme cold in Norway and high temperatures in Oman, to ensure its versatility in a variety of operating environments. The demonstrations followed the 2023 Defense Cooperation Conference, where Romania outlined plans to acquire approximately 300 new tanks to replace its aging T-55AM and TR-85 tanks.

K2 Black Panther field and fire tests in Romania planned for 2024. They are expected to be watched by military and government officials from Romania and South Korea. These tests will provide Romania with additional information on the suitability of the K2 for its defense requirements. The trials mark an important stage in the acquisition process, which includes an assessment of how well the K2 adapts to Romania's specific operating settings and environmental conditions.