[Defense Column] K2 Heukpyo Tank, This Time Targeting the Norwegian Market

[Monthly Defense Times Editor-in-Chief An Seung-beom] Norway is currently conducting a next-generation tank acquisition project to replace its 52 German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks in operation.

The upgraded German Leopard 2A7 tank and South Korea's K2 tank are currently competing as the final candidates. Norway, which is already operating Korean-made equipment such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer and K10 ammunition resupply vehicle, is considering selecting the K2 tank as its next-generation tank and is expected to make a decision within 2022.

Hyundai Rotem unveiled the export proposal version of the K2 tank for Norway at its booth during the Seoul ADEX 2021 defense exhibition. This version, called the K2 NO, is equipped with a hard-kill active protection system (APS) and a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) in addition to the basic specifications of the K2 tank, and features auxiliary heaters and snow camouflage systems adapted for Norway’s cold climate and snowy terrain.

The K2 NO version applies the same specifications as the K2 tank, including a 120mm 55-caliber main gun, laser warning device, IFF system, and non-explosive reactive armor. Beyond the basic specs, additional protection and features requested by the Norwegian military have increased the combat weight to 61.5 tons (compared to 56 tons for vehicles operated by the South Korean military). It also includes a hard-kill APS for anti-tank weapon defense, a remote-controlled RCWS machine gun, and the capability to operate FLIR’s ultra-compact reconnaissance nano drones.

The K2 NO version is planned to be equipped with the battlefield management system and remote-controlled RCWS machine gun from Norway’s domestic defense company Kongsberg. Kongsberg’s Protector RCWS machine gun system is also mounted and operated on the U.S. Army’s M1126 Stryker armored vehicles, and the K2 NO tank will be fitted with a 0.50 caliber remote-controlled RCWS machine gun.

The hard-kill APS for anti-tank weapon defense is the Trophy system produced by Israel’s Rafael. This system intercepts and destroys incoming tank shells, anti-tank missiles, and RPG rockets through collision. The Trophy system is deployed on Israel Defense Forces’ domestically produced Merkava tanks and Namer armored vehicles, as well as the U.S. Army’s upgraded M1A2 SEP tanks (M1A2C variant), and has been in operational deployment since 2020.

At the 8th Korea-Norway Defense and Logistics Joint Committee held in Oslo, Norway on August 27, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration of South Korea discussed cooperation plans for the participation of the K2 tank in Norway’s next-generation tank acquisition project. It is also reported that key officials met and discussed current issues between the two countries at ADEX 2021.

The K2 tank is competitively priced at 15 billion KRW per unit, which is significantly more cost-effective compared to the competing German Leopard 2A7 tank priced at 45 billion KRW per unit. Norway is reportedly requesting partial production in Korea with subsequent domestic production, technology transfer, maximum adoption of Norwegian-made parts to improve compatibility, and participation in the joint development of the K3 next-generation tank.