Intially the engine used was underpowered for the task at hand. The C1 Ariete, Italy’s main battle tank, entered service in 1995 after a long and troubled development process. While the K2 hasn’t been battle-tested yet, we have every reason to believe it can face any foe that comes its way. One hundred have been produced with more on the way. The engine is classified-the most we know is that it incorporates a Doosan Infracore Corporation 1,500 horsepower diesel powerplant and a transmission from S&T Dynamics. The main gun is a 120mm smooth bore produced by Rheinmetall in Germany. Additionally, the K2 takes full advantage of its youth by incorporating advanced features and an innofative design.Ī classified armor system makes use of advanced composite materials and both “soft kill” and “hard kill” anti-missile defense systems. It’s one of the newest machines on this list.

Replacing the M48 Patton and K1 tanks – which are still in service with some units – the K2 began production in 2013. It makes sense that they developed a tank specifically to meet those concerns. South Korea faces a unique set of challenges and threats when it comes to national defense.

Modern tanks