Editing K2 Black Panther (section)

==History==
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|-|K2
====K2===
Class: Main Battle Tank<br>
Developed: 1995-2014<br>
Service: 2014+<br>
Vehicles Built: cca 200<br>
Operators: South Korea

The K2 Black Panther is currently possibly the most advanced mass-produced Main Battle Tank in the world. It was designed sometimes in the early 2000s (even though the program itself was likely launched as early as 1995) to replace the aging K1 tank series, which were basically like a Korean equivalent to the older Abrams models, but not quite – Korea is a mountainous region, which is why these tanks emphasized, on one hand, mobility, and on the other hand, the capability to operate in difficult terrain. That’s why these tanks featured hydraulic, adjustable suspension, giving them an edge in the hilly parts of the country.

The Black Panther itself weighs 55 tons and is well-protected. The armor is, of course, composite (and secret) and is said to be able to withstand a hit from a 120mm APFSDS round, fired from a gun with 55 caliber barrel length. The mobility is provided by a German MTU MT883 Ka-501 diesel with the later production models being fitted with an indigenous 1500hp Doosan DV27K power pack. The German engines were adopted because the Korean power unit still had problems by the time the production was supposed to launch<br>

The tank is also equipped with an in-arm hydraulic suspension, allowing it to “sit” (lowering its silhouette in defensive position) or tilt to all sides to improve its 120mm L/55 indigenous gun elevation as needed. The gun is controlled by an extremely advanced FCS and can fire unique modern ammunition. Around two hundred of these vehicles were built for the South Korean military with more being offered for export all around the world, most notably in Poland.

|-|K2PL
====K2PL===
Class: Main Battle Tank<br>
Developed: 1995-2014<br>
Service: 2014+<br>
Vehicles Built: cca 200<br>
Operators: South Korea, Poland

The K2 Black Panther is currently possibly the most advanced mass-produced Main Battle Tank in the world. It was designed sometimes in the early 2000s (even though the program itself was likely launched as early as 1995) to replace the aging K1 tank series, which were basically like a Korean equivalent to the older Abrams models, but not quite – Korea is a mountainous region, which is why these tanks emphasized, on one hand, mobility, and on the other hand, the capability to operate in difficult terrain. That’s why these tanks featured hydraulic, adjustable suspension, giving them an edge in the hilly parts of the country.

The Black Panther itself weighs 55 tons and is well-protected. The armor is, of course, composite (and secret) and is said to be able to withstand a hit from a 120mm APFSDS round, fired from a gun with 55 caliber barrel length. The mobility is provided by a German MTU MT883 Ka-501 diesel with the later production models being fitted with an indigenous 1500hp Doosan DV27K power pack. The German engines were adopted because the Korean power unit still had problems by the time the production was supposed to launch<br>

The tank is also equipped with an in-arm hydraulic suspension, allowing it to “sit” (lowering its silhouette in defensive position) or tilt to all sides to improve its 120mm L/55 indigenous gun elevation as needed. The gun is controlled by an extremely advanced FCS and can fire unique modern ammunition. Around two hundred of these vehicles were built for the South Korean military with more being offered for export all around the world, most notably in Poland.
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