South Korea plans to invest 3.43 trillion won ($2.43 billion) in upgrading its K2 main battle tanks to improve their survivability against evolving battlefield threats, including drones and anti-tank weapons.
Under the K2 Tank Performance Upgrade Project, the Hyundai Rotem-built tanks will receive an active protection system, a jammer designed to counter drones and improvised explosive devices, and a remote-controlled weapon station, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
The modernization program is scheduled to run from 2028 through 2046.
Growing North Korean Drone Threat
The K2 upgrade comes as North Korea expands its suicide-drone capabilities, reportedly with possible Russian assistance. Such drones can attack armored vehicles from above, targeting areas where tank armor is generally thinner and potentially bypassing conventional protection measures.
North Korea is also advancing its conventional military capabilities, including the development of the Chonma-20 main battle tank, which features an active protection system.
South Korea Develops Longer-Range Haeseong-II Missile
Separately, South Korea’s defense procurement committee has approved a program to develop the Haeseong-II, a domestically produced ship-to-ship guided missile with an extended range.
The country plans to invest 1.63 trillion won ($1.15 billion) in the program from next year through 2039.
South Korea’s existing Haeseong anti-ship missile has an estimated range of around 150–180 kilometers (93–112 miles). The Haeseong-II is expected to achieve a range in the mid-300-kilometer (186-mile) class, enabling South Korean naval vessels to engage hostile ships from considerably greater distances and expanding their effective strike capability.
