Details of the K3, the world's first hydrogen-fuelled battle tank from South Korea's Hyundai Rotem, have been revealed

In October 2023, South Korean company Hyundai Rotem announced the development of the K3, the world's first hydrogen-fuelled battle tank.

Finally, a year later, the first details of the innovative combat vehicle became known.

Here's What We Know

Powered by hydrogen fuel cells, the K3 is expected to replace current diesel-powered tanks.

The expected K3 design offers significant operational advantages, including the ability to traverse difficult terrain and steep slopes. The tank will be equipped with a 130mm smoothbore gun, a significant improvement over the 120mm gun of the current K2 tank model. Hyundai Rotem will incorporate artificial intelligence into the fire control systems, which will significantly improve accuracy and firing efficiency.

Such vehicles offer a number of advantages:

1. The new engine will increase the tank's range and autonomy, allowing military units to operate without refuelling and penetrate deeper into enemy territory.
2. The hydrogen tank's low heat signature makes it harder to detect by infrared surveillance systems, which will facilitate discrete manoeuvres, night patrols and infiltration behind enemy lines.
3. The silent operation of hydrogen technology will provide a decisive advantage for ambushes or defences in forested or urban areas, allowing the tank to remain undetected until engagement.
4. It seems strange to talk about the environmental friendliness of military technology in warfare, but a hydrogen engine is less polluting than a diesel engine.

Here's How It Works

A hydrogen fuel cell works by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, water and heat through an electrochemical reaction. It consists of three main components: anode, cathode and electrolyte. Hydrogen stored in the tank is injected into the anode where it is separated into protons and electrons through catalysis. The protons pass through the electrolyte to reach the cathode, while the electrons, unable to cross the electrolyte, travel through an external circuit, generating a useful electric current. On the other hand, oxygen, normally extracted from the air, is introduced to the cathode where it combines with protons and electrons to form water, a net by-product of this reaction. This technology, which emits only water and heat, provides a sustainable and clean energy source ideal for applications requiring low acoustic and thermal signatures, such as covert military operations.

Hyundai Rotem will first provide the South Korean Army with a hybrid transitional model combining hydrogen and diesel, with a hydrogen-powered K3 tank planned for mass production by 2040.

Source: Army Recognition