South Korea Plans $3.9B Upgrade for K2 Tanks and Haeseong-II Missiles
DAPA announces major defense upgrade projects to counter evolving enemy threats with advanced APS, jamming tech, and extended missile range.
Quick Look
South Korea's DAPA approved a 3.43 trillion-won project to upgrade K2 battle tanks with active protection systems and jammers, alongside a 1.63 trillion-won initiative to double the strike range of Haeseong-II anti-ship missiles.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
DAPA oversees South Korea's defense acquisition and military capability enhancement programs.
SEOUL, Aug. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to upgrade a key Army battle tank and an anti-ship missile program for the Navy in an effort to boost military capabilities against evolving enemy threats, the arms agency said Tuesday.
It will launch a 3.43 trillion-won (US$2.43 billion) project to upgrade the K2 main battle tank to be equipped with an active protection system (APS) to intercept anti-tank missiles and drones, a drone and improvised explosive device (IED) jammer and a remote-controlled weapons station (RCWS), the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.
The APS system is dubbed a smart shield system that uses radar to automatically spot incoming enemy missiles or drones and attack them.
The drone and IED jammer blocks enemy radio signals and the RCWS enables the crew to safely aim and fire from inside the armored vehicle.
The K2 upgrade program will run from 2028 through 2046, with the new tanks expected to enter into service in 2033, DAPA said.
The agency will launch another upgrade project for the new Haeseong-II long-range anti-ship missile, aiming to double its strike range, backed by a more powerful turbofan engine.
With a budget of around 1.63 trillion won, the military aims to complete the development by 2033 and start mass production in 2034.
The upgraded Haeseong-II missiles are expected to be mounted on South Korea's next-generation KDDX destroyer, a source familiar with the matter said. The government recently signed a formal contract with Hanwha to build its lead ship.
The upgrade plans were approved during DAPA's key decision-making meeting on Tuesday.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
K2 tank upgrade program launch
Very likely · Within months
Haeseong-II missile development completion
Likely · Within years
Open Questions
- When will the K2 prototype be completed?
- Which specific threats prompted the APS inclusion?
