Comments on: Next Generation Defense or Potential Money Maker?

By: The final cut

The final cut — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:28:09 +0000

[...] #33 – March – The new and highly advanced XK2 tank is fielded by the ROK Army. [...]

By: BRIAN

BRIAN — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 08:23:20 +0000

ALL THE ARTICALS I'VE SEEN ON THIS TANK MENTION NOTHING

ABOUT IT'S ARMOUR. THE DEFENSIVE ABILITIES LOOK GREAT

FOR INCOMING MISSLES OR ARTILLERY. FOR THE PRICE TAG

THIS TANK SHOULD HAVE THE CHOBHAM ARMOUR , BUT AGAIN

NO MENTION ABOUT IT'S ARMOUR AT ALL….

By: enomosiki

enomosiki — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 03:33:44 +0000

Michael, the thing regarding the autoloader on the K2 seems to be pretty reliable to me. I've seen a trial video which shows the tank's autoloader in action, and it's nowhere as complicated as the old Russian systems which are prone to breaking down. The number of movements required for the K2's autoloader is quite small, so I would expect it to last longer and less maintainence intensive, too. Also, K2's autoloader can load a round within 4 seconds, which is more or less on par with a human loader.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:27:47 +0000

Okay I read that article and I didn't see anything about the reliability of the auto-loader.

Tom, I am not trying to knock the Korean defense industry at all, I am happy that Korea is becoming self developing in its weapon systems. I was stoked to see the remote guns around the FOB in Iraq, just awesome.

I just know that auto-loaders are very maintainence heavy and I'm sure there will be unforseen issues with it. And no not because Korea made it either.

By: GI Korea

GI Korea — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 05:25:45 +0000

Tom, I don't have a problem with Korea exporting the tank, I am only wondering what standards will they use when exporting it? Will they sell to anyone like the Russians or be selective on who they sell to? With K9 system so far Samsung Techwin has been selective on who they sell to.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:22:12 +0000

See the tank in action, what it can do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHB25DFGF9g

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:15:44 +0000

So is there anything wrong with ROK looking at this tank as an export item, as it should be? Korea is not a great tank country anyway. It's mountainous terrain prevents it. ROK should keep a few of these, and export the majority. Money should be better spent on upgrading the professionalism of the infantry and upgrading the air force.

There's more article on this tank.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/03/south-korea-un…

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:59:21 +0000

Michael, you obviously know nothing about the auto loader and its capability in this new Korean tank. And we already have a potential customer – Turkey. I'll even venture out and say, it's a done deal.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200703/kt2…

By: XK2, Potential Export to Turkey at ROK Drop

XK2, Potential Export to Turkey at ROK Drop — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 19:57:25 +0000

[...] posed the question earlier if the XK2 tank was next generation defense or a potential money maker?Â Well the answer to this [...]

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 17:53:19 +0000

Regarding the auto-loader concept… Auto loaders are cool but they like to break for one. Also they tend to be slower then a human. On average my loader can load a 65lb round and arm the gun in 4 seconds. Faster then the dust can clear from the round just fired.

I would never trade a human loader for an auto-loader, primary reason is one more person to pull security and maintainance.

As far as fear of it being sold to the "wrong" countries… I don't fear that much due to the cost. Even if they were exported to said countries, the cost would limit the number they would purchace.

Another factor would be the crews. You could have a super weapon system that can do anything but it would be useless without the proper training, modivation, and tactics.