new S Korean tank...

[whdonnelly]

My Korean language skill is getting rusty, but here is more on the tank according to the project leader:
It will be the most high-tech tank in the world.
It can cross most rivers in Europe without special equipment.
Turkey is very interested in it.
It is superior to all North Korean tanks.

The sales pitch didn't mention the tanks' ability to take a punch.

[Shan]

It looks like it's comparable to the Leclerc in configuration - first underwater tank is a bit overstated, as all soviet tanks had snorkel equipment, while the Leopard I + II had an escape pipe or however you might call that on top of the commander's hatch... anyway, it might not be the most pressing issue for adding a new vehicle, as it won't be available too soon, I just thought the tankies among us might be interested...

[pdoktar]

First tanks where the gun turrets can go underwater..? What about the deep fording capability of T-series and the like.. what does this mean.. nothing new I´d say. Or is it that it can engage in combat immediately after resurfacing.. what?

[whdonnelly]

I'll keep searching the news because I'm really wondering how the "highest tech" claim will be backed up.

[Siddhi]

it does not look that "Hi-tech"
this is from Jane's (JAA) Nov. 2006 (exerpted b/c of copyright)

In addition to having a very advanced passive armour package over the frontal arc, the K2 MBT is also provided with a higher level of protection against top attack weapons with explosive reactive armour (ERA) being installed on the turret roof. An anti-neutron liner is also fitted to the K2 as standard.

The K2 will also have a number of other advanced survivability features including a defensive aids suite that will include laser warning receivers, radar warning receivers and a roof mount hard kill system and a battlefield identification friend or foe (IFF) system.

Standard equipment will include a NBC system, extensive communications suite, battle management system and a position/navigation system. The commander and gunner each have a colour tactical display and on board diagnostics with a built-in test/fault isolation test as standard.

As with an increasing number of vehicles, the K2 also has an embeded training and mission rehearsal facility. When fitted with a telescopic snorkel the K2 can ford to a depth of 4.1 m.

The ROK Army already deploys two versions of the Rotem K1 MBT, the original K1 armed with a 105 mm KM68A1 rifled tank gun and the more recent K1A1 armed with a 120 mm M256 smooth bore tank gun. Both of these have been offered on the export market but there have been no sales so far.

In addition to having a very advanced passive armour package over the frontal arc, the K2 MBT is also provided with a higher level of protection against top attack weapons with explosive reactive armour (ERA) being installed on the turret roof. An anti-neutron liner is also fitted to the K2 as standard.

note that it says the snorkel needs to be fitted; instead of being organic to the tank - this allows "accelerated" fording ops (5-15min prep) as it implies the tank is actually watertight by default - however this is NOT instantenous fording capability, which means you just litteratly "drive under water", which would be seriously combat enhancing. nearlly all other tanks with fording capability (including most soviet design and I believe western MBTs as well) require "sealing" of various compartments etc. to make watertight and various bits of equipment, preperation is never under 30min and can be longer.

[Siddhi]

here's a pic of a model of a K2 with fording equipment. does that snorkel look familiar or what?

[pdoktar]

I knew its superior tech and abilities were just another bull by anybody whoever makes anything ever.

[PlasmaKrab]

Link here for more pics of the prototype.

I have no idea why they boast the fording capability that much, they could just as well advertise it as the First Nuclear-Proof Tank due to the neutron liner...
Maybe what is to be understood by "the gun turrets can go underwater" is that the main gun can fire immediately after surfacing, without needing to be emptied/dried/cleaned/whatever. I don't know how exotic that is though.
Apart for that, basic tank snorkeling as far as can be seen.

The defensive suite looks much more promising if all the components can be purchased for the series version: turret-top ERA, hard-kill device, BIFF...
Also the FCS should be largely on par with the latest Western designs.

Now let's just lean back and see how the ROKA is going to fund this one...