Three Korean XK-2 tanks from the first production batch roll off the production line. (KOIS photo)
Posted on 03/02/2007 9:16:22 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Korea Unveils Amphibious Tank
(Source: Korea Overseas Information Service; issued Mar. 2, 2007)
Korea's first domestically-made amphibious tank, featuring an auto-loaded 120mm cannon, rolled off the assembly line in Changwon, Friday (March 2).
The next-generation tank, code named "XK2" and nicknamed "Black Panther," will replace the older K1 and American M47/48 tanks starting in 2011, defense officials said.
The new model features an auto-loaded 120 mm cannon, can reach speeds of up to 70 km per hour, and can cross rivers as deep as 4.1 meters using a snorkel, according to its developer, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).
At the launch ceremony for the tank, President Roh Moo-hyun stressed that Korea's development of a top-tier weapon such as the XK2 with its own technology testifies to the country's defense capability.
"The development of the world's top-level tank--in both mobility and firepower--with our own technology shows the world our commitment to self-defense," Roh said during the ceremony held at the ADD facilities in Changwon, Gyeongsang nam-do (South Gyeongsang Province).
Korea plans to commission the tank after preparations for mass production.
It also aims to export the tanks with the price tag of US$8.5 million per unit, with an adjustment for inflation.
-ends-
Three Korean XK-2 tanks from the first production batch roll off the production line. (KOIS photo)
Wondering if the ammo is the same as ours?
So who gets to cross the river first and check the accuracy of the chart to find out if what reads 4.0 meters is actually 4.2?
Probably M829 120mm, APFSDS-T. I assuming it's a smoothbore.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m829a1.htm
Nice looking tank. Should be able to annihilate the North Korean neo-Stalinist vermin, if needed.
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