Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Aerospace, key players in South Korea’s defense industry, recently showcased the K2 Black Panther tank and the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer to international delegations. Ambassadors, diplomats, and military attachés from 15 countries visited both companies’ facilities, getting a close look at two of their most in-demand products.
According to The Korea Herald, the tour of the Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Aerospace production plants by international delegations was coordinated and organized by South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visits offered foreign representatives “…a behind-the-scenes look at South Korea’s national defense systems from A to Z, from the factory assembly line to a live demonstration of how they operate in the field…,” the local outlet reported.
The tour, which also included a visit to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in the city of Sacheon, was attended by ambassadors from Greece, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Thailand, and Uzbekistan; diplomats from Poland, Iraq, Peru, and Vietnam; as well as defense attachés from Australia, Colombia, and the Philippines.
Throughout their visit to the Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Aerospace plants, the delegations observed the companies’ active production lines, with a focus on two high-demand products: the K2 Black Panther tank and the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer (SPH).
As for the artillery vehicle, the model produced by Hanwha Aerospace is one of the top contenders on the global market, having secured numerous contracts in Europe—most notably with Poland. The Central European country is not only acquiring dozens of K9 Thunders but also producing components locally for the AHS Krab. During the tour, delegations were informed that it takes only 100 working days to manufacture a K9 Thunder “…from the initial welding stage to final testing…”.
The K2 Black Panther, on the other hand, has seen less commercial success and has so far only been exported to Poland. However, there are prospects for the Korean tank to secure new contracts in both Europe and South America, with Peru being the leading candidate. On this, The Korea Herald reported that “…deliveries of the tanks are scheduled for Poland and Peru, as Hyundai Rotem signed a contract with Peru’s FAME SAC in November 2024 (marking the first K2 export to Latin America) and a 2022 framework agreement with Poland to deliver 180 units by the end of this year…”.
The diplomats and military attachés also visited KAI’s facilities, where they were introduced to the FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft and the KF-21 Boramae fighter, which recently entered mass production.
The central message of the tour was simple: South Korea’s domestically manufactured weapons systems stand out not only for their exceptional performance, but also for the country’s unmatched mass production capabilities and its ability to provide integrated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: Poland Ministry of Defense
You may also like: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is evaluating alternatives to replace its problematic C-130R Hercules aircraft
