ARMAMENTS

In late 2020, the Norwegian Armed Forces decided to proceed with the renewal of the country’s armored vehicles fleet by purchasing new units.

Among the various nominations is the proposal of the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, which offers the K2NO Main Battle Tank (with letters “NO” standing for the initial letters of “Norway”). 

The K2NO main battle tank was first unveiled in October 2021 at the Seoul Aerospace and Defence Exhibition and is a modified version of the Korean K2 Black Panther Main Battle Tank (MBT), one of the most powerful main battle tanks worldwide.

Last December, the first tank arrived in Norway to undergo a series of tests and inspections, which continue to this day. This variant (K2NO) has been designed with such features as to meet the needs of the Norwegian military and to be compatible with the capabilities of the domestic defence industry.

More specifically, the front turret is fitted with the Israeli-made Trophy HV APS (Active Protection System) instead of the Korean Active Protection System (KAPS) developed by the National Defense Agency of South Korea specifically for the K2 Black Panther tank.

Also read: “Trophy” self-protection system | The system that now makes Abrams “invulnerable” – Photos & VIDEO

In addition, the Protector RS4 remote-controlled weapons station of the Norwegian company Kongsberg is mounted on the turret roof, armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. 

In terms of its armor, the K2NO body provides protection against 120 mm projectiles, it features armor on the turret roof, while Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) is fitted on the side of the turret.

As far as other features of the K2NO are concerned, these are similar to those of the K2 Black Panther tank:

• The main armament consists of the Korean-made 120 mm CN08 smoothbore gun, which has an automatic loading mechanism with a firing rate of 10 rounds per minute (total supply capacity: 40 rounds of various types)
• Three-member crew (crew commander – gunner – driver)
• Automatic target detection and tracking system, “hunter-killer” function
• Collective system for protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats
• Dimensions: 10.8 meters, width 3.6 meters, height 2.4 meters, vehicle distance from the ground 0.45 meters, and combat weight of 55 tons
• It is powered with an MTU MT-883 Ka-501 4-cycle, 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine developing 1500 horsepower and an automatic transmission
• Develops a maximum speed of 70 km and a range of up to 450 km

Also read: T-80U | 25 years of presence in the National Guard and its upgrade options – Infographics & VIDEO