Key Points
- Hyundai Rotem has signed a $170 million contract with South Korea’s protection company to ship extra K600 obstacle-clearing tanks by 2029.
- The new K600s will likely be fielded for the primary time by frontline infantry divisions and the Marine Corps, following earlier deliveries to mechanized models.
South Korea has finalized a brand new manufacturing contract for its K600 Rhino obstacle-clearing fight engineering tank, marking the primary time the automobile will likely be equipped on to frontline Army models and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
According to an announcement carried by Yonhap News, Hyundai Rotem mentioned on December 9 that it signed a second-phase manufacturing settlement with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration valued at 250 billion gained (roughly $170 million). The firm says closing supply beneath the contract is scheduled for December 31, 2029.
The K600 is designed to clear mines, particles, and different battlefield obstacles forward of advancing forces. As famous by Hyundai Rotem, the tank “removes mines and obstacles utilizing its mine‑clearing plow and excavator arm to safe maneuver routes for pleasant forces.” The firm says the ahead‑mounted plow tills the bottom to find buried mines, whereas a magnetic affect gadget generates a subject robust sufficient to detonate magnetically triggered mines at a secure distance.
– ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW –
Mounted on the higher hull, the excavator arm may be fitted with a breaker to crush rocks or employed as a crane to elevate heavy objects, enabling a spread of fight engineering duties in troublesome terrain.
Frontline placement of the K600 marks a shift in South Korea’s deployment strategy. Existing first‑manufacturing autos had been assigned primarily to mechanized models that function essential battle tanks, a transfer aimed toward maximizing mobility and familiarizing armored formations with the platform. According to the report, the brand new manufacturing batch “will likely be deployed to frontline infantry divisions and the Marine Corps for the primary time.”
The Republic of Korea Marine Corps expects that having the K600 will enable sooner entry by means of mined coastal areas throughout amphibious operations. Army officers additionally indicated the system will strengthen survivability and maneuver choices alongside the closely militarized border.
Hyundai Rotem says the second‑section batch will incorporate consumer‑pushed enhancements. The firm famous that “the motion vary of the commander’s seat will likely be expanded, and vibration ranges of the appropriate‑facet rearview mirror throughout motion are anticipated to be decreased,” reflecting operational suggestions from Army crews who’ve used earlier fashions in coaching.
In an announcement, a Hyundai Rotem consultant mentioned, “As the significance of tanks grows in nationwide protection worldwide, the necessity for impediment‑clearing tanks that maximize tank effectivity can also be rising.”
The K600 relies on the K1A1 tank chassis and is a part of South Korea’s broader push to modernize fight engineering capabilities, improve armored mobility, and assist fast breaching operations in excessive‑risk environments.
