South Korea's Hyundai Rotem will soon start developing a next-generation tank

Hyundai Rotem has officially registered its next-generation tank design with the South Korean Patent Office. The patent application, filed on 26 August 2024, was accepted on 17 April 2025, and the decision was published on 21 April 2025.

Here's What We Know

The new tank, tentatively named K3, is to be the successor to the K2 Black Panther. Its silhouette is significantly simplified compared to previous concepts, and the turret modules look more protected. The armour is expected to consist of steel, ceramics and composites.

One of the key features is an unmanned, low-profile turret that will house the main 130 mm gun with an automatic loading system. A remotely controlled combat module with a machine gun and elements resembling electromagnetic guns to combat drones is also planned.

The design of the tank provides for a two-person crew, as evidenced by the presence of two hatches with periscopic rings in the front of the hull. The armour modules on the turret are shaped like hexagons, but it is not yet known whether they are dynamic protection elements or other protective layers.

The turret is equipped with antenna-like structures that hint at the integration of an active protection system (APS), although the ASOP effectors are not shown in the concept, indicating that the system is still under development.

The tank is expected to use a hybrid propulsion system, combining a diesel engine and hydrogen power. It is likely that an all-hydrogen engine will be introduced by 2040.

Source: Defence Blog