The evolved performance of the K2PL (K2 Poland), the Polish export model of Hyundai Rotem’s K2 tank, has been unveiled. Unlike the existing K2 tanks, the K2PL is equipped with a Remote Control Weapon System (RCWS) similar to the ZSSW-30 turret system, an Active Protection System (APS) that can protect the tank from enemies, and a system to disrupt drone attacks.
According to the Polish military magazine Defence 24 on the 15th, the K2PL is equipped with a Polish-style large-caliber RCWS, an APS with a hard-kill system, and a device for jamming drones to enhance its combat and defense capabilities.
The K2PL chassis is based on the original K2 chassis and turret, per Poland’s wishes. This was also revealed at the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2022) in Poland 2022. The fact that the K2 chassis is the base means that there is a high probability that the hull ammunition depot is not separated from the crew and the driver’s position does not move along the vehicle’s vertical axis.
The tank’s weight is expected to increase. Due to additional protection modules and armament, it is likely to increase from 132,277 lbs to a maximum of 143,300 lbs.
The 12.7mm S&T Dynamics K6 large-caliber machine gun, a Korean derivative of the M2 Browning Machine Gun, is equipped for armament. Another alternative is to equip the WKM-B machine gun from Poland’s Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów. The WKM-B also operates with 12.7 x 99mm ammunition.
A hard-kill (KAPS) active destruction system is also installed to enhance defense capabilities. This system, jointly developed by Hyundai Rotem and Israel’s Rafael, is capable of neutralizing enemy anti-tank missiles and rockets before they reach friendly tanks. It detects threats approaching from the front and destroys them about 33-49 feet ahead. It only takes 0.3 seconds to fire a countermeasure after detecting an enemy missile, and the hit probability is as high as 80%.
The K2PL enhances its combat capabilities by equipping a Remote Control Weapon System (RCWS), and a Lego block-shaped electronic warfare jamming device capable of interfering with commercial drones is installed on top of the K2PL tank.
The K2PL also crosses waters. One advantage of the K2 is that all units are equipped with a deep submersion kit. As a result, the tank can cross waters up to 13.5 feet deep after about 20-30 minutes of preparation.
The K2PL is partially produced at the Hyundai Rotem Changwon Plant in Korea, and the rest is made at “WZMot,” a military vehicle production company located in Poznan, a western city in Poland. Local production is scheduled to begin in 2026. The Korean government has a stance of fully cooperating with constructing local production facilities in Poland. The two countries agreed to produce some K2 tanks and K9 Thunder in Poland at the time of the purchase contract.
Poland has purchased 980 K2 tanks from Hyundai Rotem. The first contract quantity is 180, and 28 were delivered last year.
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