KOREAN army main battle tanks
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-d1Z4VpeuQ
Rotem (part of the Hyundai group) has developed the K1 series of vehicles, which includes the K1A1 120mm main battle tank, the K1105 mm main battle tank, K1 ARV armoured recovery vehicle, and the K1 AVLB armoured vehicle launch bridge. The vehicles are built at Rotem's automated production facility at ChangWon.
The first two prototypes of the K1A1 successfully completed operational tests in 1997 and the tank is in production and in service with Republic of Korea Army. Total requirement is for about 300 K1A1 tanks, scheduled to be in service by 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7MfnhPcOOI
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They are producing K1A2 now. K1A1 has a more powerful gun than Japanese MBT. I don't know about the armor though the K1 is heavier than the Japanese MBT. If it's superior than Leopard 2A4 then I would say the Korean has developed for themselves a good tank.
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On paper the K1A2 is superior than many front line MBTs.
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The Korean K1-A1 Main Battle Tank. (*1) was a local Korean design developed along the lines of the US Abrams Main Battle Tank with most of the important features included.
While the US Abrams has a petrol guzzling turbine engine to provide the power and speed for its 60 ton weight, the Koreans depended on a 1200 horsepower MTU turbo-charged diesel engine licensed for manufacture in Korea.
It has the advanced Chobham composite armor used by most advance western designed main battle tanks, and incorporated it into its unique use of ‘four inch thick aluminum alloy’ (*2) for its main hull to achieve a lighter 50 ton weight and with a lower profile compared to the Abrams.
Another unique feature of the Korean K1-A1 MBT is its hydraulic ability to have the front section of the tank to "kneel" - allowing the main gun to be depressed lower to engage targets below its position when shooting from high ground.
The K1-A1 has its main gun 105mm identical to the Abrams M1-A1 and use the same NATO rounds available to the Abrams.
With the Abrams M1A1 being upgraded to the A2 series equipped with a smooth bore 120mm main gun, the Koreans have similarly developed upgrades as a second generation 55 ton MBT - to be known as the "Black Panther" (*3) and which will be rolled out by year 2010.
