South Korean Hyundai Rotem has patented the tank of the future

South Korean defense company Hyundai Rotem has officially registered the design of a promising main battle tank, which could become the successor to the K2 Black Panther. This was reported by Defence Blog. According to the patent documentation, the application was filed on August 26, 2024, and the official registration took place on April 17, 2025.

According to the sketches, the new tank has a low-profile turret and modular design, providing improved armor and the ability to adapt to different combat conditions. The platform is expected to have an emphasis on automation and crew protection, and will include advanced active protection systems, artificial intelligence for threat detection, and a hybrid powertrain.

Although technical specifications have not yet been disclosed, military analysts suggest that this development is part of South Korea's long-term strategy to modernize its armored forces. Hyundai Rotem already has experience exporting K2 tanks to Europe and the Middle East, and the new model could attract the attention of international partners.

The prototype is expected to be presented in the coming years at major defense exhibitions such as DX Korea or Eurosatory, which will allow assessing its potential in modern combat conditions.