[Defense Commentary] Current Status of Our Military's Tank Forces

[Monthly Defense Times Editor-in-Chief An Seung-beom] The initial batch of 100 K2 tanks, which began to be commissioned in July 2014, was fully deployed to two tank battalions of the 20th Mechanized Infantry Division and the armored reconnaissance battalion of the 11th Mechanized Infantry Division. However, mass production was delayed due to issues with the domestically developed powerpack, which was scheduled to be installed from the second batch of about 100 tanks. The second batch began to be commissioned from 2019, and about 50 tanks will be produced in the third batch later.

The fourth batch of mass-produced tanks, decision on which was expected by the end of November 2021, will feature performance upgrades to the K2 tank, including a hard-kill type active protection system (APS), thermobaric weapon launchers, a 360˚ situational awareness observation device equipped with day and night panoramic cameras, a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) for the tank commander, as well as stealth systems and a hybrid engine.

The K1 series tanks are undergoing performance upgrades to the K1E1/A2 models, which include friend-or-foe identification devices, front and rear cameras, and digital battlefield management systems. The K1E1 upgrades are scheduled to be completed by 2026, and the K1A2 upgrades by 2022.

Among the follow-up performance upgrade elements for the K1E1/A2 upgrade project, the Joint Chiefs of Staff approved in 2016 the installation of positive pressure and cooling systems for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protection and auxiliary power units (APU) on both K1E1 and K1A2 tanks, as well as replacing the gunner’s sight on the K1E1 tank with the Korean Gunner’s Primary Sight (KGPS). These have led to subsequent upgrade projects.

Other proposed upgrade elements include unmanned turret RCWS for the platoon leader, EMP and neutron shielding devices, thermal imaging periscopes for the driver (K1A2), increased powerpack output, suspension improvements, and enhanced frontal armor protection. However, since the basic K1 tank model was developed over 30 years ago, only economically feasible upgrades are being pursued, and it is known that long-term replacement is necessary.

Since 2019, with the introduction of the second batch of K2 tanks and the reorganization of some mechanized infantry divisions into maneuver divisions and armored brigades, the deployment of K1A2 tanks to maneuver divisions, mechanized infantry divisions, and armored brigades, and K1E1 tanks to infantry division tank battalions has been accelerated.

It is reported that the planned number of about 180 units for the fourth batch of K2 tanks must be confirmed as scheduled to retire the aging M48A5K tanks and convert them into decorative units.

The M48A5K tank, armed with a 105mm main gun, can still engage T-62 enemy tanks at close range in terms of firepower, but since the tank itself was designed in the 1950s, it is unsuitable for modern warfare and poses significant logistical support challenges.

Meanwhile, due to delays in additional K2 tank production, the Marine Corps 2nd Division tank battalion, which operates the M48A3K tanks with 90mm main guns, began replacing them with K1E1 tanks from February 2022. The Marine Corps 2nd Division tank battalion is confirmed to be the only unit worldwide operating M48A3-type tanks. Until receiving the K1E1 tanks, the battalion has made great efforts to maintain combat readiness by operating about 30 M48A3K tanks without issues. The Marine Corps 2nd Division tank battalion is responsible for the Gimpo Peninsula, one of the critical defense axes of the Seoul metropolitan area.