Does anyone know where the upcoming K2 MBT will fit? I'm guessing though it's supposed to be one of the most advanced tanks in the world, it'll still very much be a 3rd generation MBT.

Its very hard to say what will define a fourth generation...

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

Does anyone know where the upcoming K2 MBT will fit? I'm guessing though it's supposed to be one of the most advanced tanks in the world, it'll still very much be a 3rd generation MBT.

Would you be upset if I viewed K2 as a extensive K1 series upgrade.

I wouldn't be surprised at all actually.
Obvious the cover does look a bit different but just about anyone can do that.
It appears the K1 and K1A1 are rather different... mostly the gun. I don't know, you'd be the pro at that. As for the K2... don't know what's up with that. Other than the cover, don't know what justifies the higher number. Looks like there's more "stuff" on it... I guess I'll find out in a few months.

South Korea can have some oddities...
like the K1 SMG is sometimes considered a carbine of the K2 rifle although they are completely different weapons.

Hmm... would the K2 MBT have some features like the M1A2? Or still a few levels below? As for the armor... I just don't know if South Korea can produce top of the line armor.

From a politician's point of view, I think the question would be what it'll have to take on? I reckon it can handle just about every piece of armor the North may throw its way?

North Korean definitely but also it'll have to be able to defeat mutliple Chinese tanks.

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

I wouldn't be surprised at all actually.
Obvious the cover does look a bit different but just about anyone can do that.
It appears the K1 and K1A1 are rather different... mostly the gun. I don't know, you'd be the pro at that. As for the K2... don't know what's up with that. Other than the cover, don't know what justifies the higher number. Looks like there's more "stuff" on it... I guess I'll find out in a few months.

South Korea can have some oddities...
like the K1 SMG is sometimes considered a carbine of the K2 rifle although they are completely different weapons.

Hmm... would the K2 MBT have some features like the M1A2? Or still a few levels below? As for the armor... I just don't know if South Korea can produce top of the line armor.

Everything inside of this tank has been pretty much been upgraded, including gun, armor protection, mobility.

I would rate it along side of a M1A2 exception being armor protection wise in the frontal turret area, (60% frontal), it would be hard pressed to communicate and navigate as well as a M1A2 SEP version 2, but that more than likely has to do with different tactics used by different military force structures.

Armor protection is impressive and they have been able to pull other countries armor technologies and apply what works out best for K2, also I should add besides the IDF, ROK will be one of the first tank producers based on western technology that will equip K2 with a counter measures device(s), no other country has even decided on what they want to use as of yet, including the Russians as far as a hard kill device.

In a nutshell, it is a darn good tank, if you want some detailed specifics on vehicle capabilities let me know.

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

North Korean definitely but also it'll have to be able to defeat mutliple Chinese tanks.

Spot on, K2 was designed to not only handle future Chinese threats but also future Russian armor threats, K1 and K1A1 are more than a match for anything the North Koreans are currently using.

Nice. Maybe one day I'll be a TC on a K2.

Originally Posted by Pale Rider

Spot on, K2 was designed to not only handle future Chinese threats but also future Russian armor threats, K1 and K1A1 are more than a match for anything the North Koreans are currently using.

I've read somewhere that K2 was designed to replace some K1A1 components.
K1A1 was apparently not available for export because of foreign rights owners blocking the export of a tank with their components (I think U.S.).

The general design of K1/K2 is quite well-matched for the hilly Korean terrain - the hydropneumatic suspension increases the effective gun elevation/depression - very important in such terrain (and in cities).

For all of you out there that think the Leo 2 has never seen combat.....well you can't be more wrong. Canada has been using the Leo 2A6 in Afghanistan for some time now, and will great success.