▲ This photo provided by Hyundai Rotem Co. shows the K2ME, the Middle East variant of the company's K2 battle tank, at a rollout ceremony for the model held in Changwon, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on March 26, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Hyundai Rotem-tank rollout

Hyundai Rotem unveils Middle East variant of K2 battle tank at rollout ceremony

SEOUL, March 27 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Rotem Co., the defense systems manufacturing arm of Hyundai Motor Group, said Friday it has unveiled the Middle East variant of its K2 battle tank at a rollout ceremony held in South Korea.

The variant, named K2ME, was unveiled at the ceremony held at the company's production plant in Changwon, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Thursday.

The K2ME is an export-oriented model jointly developed with partner companies, designed to operate stably in extreme temperatures of up to 50 C. It features improved components, including a new powerpack radiator and an auxiliary turret cooling system.

Hyundai Rotem said it plans to increase the use of domestic parts for the tank to around 90 percent to address previous export restrictions caused by the use of some foreign-made parts.

"Amid rapidly changing global security conditions, the outcome of this project, aimed at exports to the Middle East, will further strengthen the global competitiveness of South Korea's defense industry," said Lee Yong-bae, chief executive officer (CEO) of Hyundai Rotem.

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