The South Korean government approved a major plan on May 25, 2023, for the mass production of additional K2 Black Panther Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), aimed at bolstering the military’s readiness against potential enemy threats, according to the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The South Korean Defense Project Promotion Committee approved the project with an allocated budget of 1.94 trillion won (US$1.46 billion). The project is slated to unfold over the next five years, as part of the government’s efforts to enhance South Korea’s national security.
DAPA expects the additional tanks to significantly enhance the operational capacities of the military’s maneuver corps. “By acquiring additional K2 tanks through this project, (we) expect them to greatly contribute to enhancing the maneuver corps’ capabilities to carry out offensive maneuver warfare,” said a DAPA spokesperson.
Although DAPA did not specify the exact number of tanks to be built, this project marks the fourth round of mass production of the K2 tanks. Introduced into service in 2014, K2 tanks have become an integral part of the South Korean Army’s armored units.
According to an insider source, the South Korean Army currently boasts a fleet of 2,074 Main Battle Tanks. This includes 484 K1A1/K1A2 tanks, 150 K2 tanks, 400 M48A5 tanks, and 40 T-80U tanks.