K3, the world’s first hydrogen-powered battle tank: silent, stealthy and lethal

Hyundai Rotemdefense solutions provider for South Koreahas announced the next generation tank K3 which will upgrade the South Korean Army’s K2 MBT and will be the first main battle tank (MBTfor its acronym in English) of the world powered by hydrogen. The K3 also stands out for its stealth capabilities and it has other advanced technologies that will make it one of the most sophisticated tanks.

The new hydrogen K3 is being developed by the Hyundai subsidiary in collaboration with the Korea Defense Development Agency and other South Korean technological research institutions. This initiative is part of South Korea’s goal of move towards warfare systems not dependent on combustion engines.

Thus, hydrogen fuel cells will replace the K series diesel engines in several phases, starting with hydrogen-diesel hybrid prototypes. Once operational, the tank is expected to enter production in 2040.

‘The next generation main battle tank exceeds all capabilities of current MBTsproviding more efficient mission utilization thanks to the most advanced technologies for future warfare. As battlefield conditions change, so do must change the firepower, command and control and survivability of MBTs to optimize themselves and create maximum combat synergy‘, explains Hyundai Rotem on their website.

Recreation of the MBT K3. Hyundai Rotem.

A silent and stealthy next-generation tank

The new K3 will have Enhanced stealth capabilities, autonomous driving, multi-purpose ‘slave’ drones and a new 130mm smoothbore main gun. ‘The next-generation tank will have stronger preemptive strike capabilities thanks to an artificial intelligence-based fire control system,’ the company notes.

The initiative goes beyond making military vehicles more sustainable. It also offers significant upgrades that make the new tank more versatile and lethal on the battlefield. The first of them is a much lower thermal signature due to the absence of intense heat emissions.

Fuel cell technology too will dramatically reduce tank noise when movingproviding greater acceleration and mobility, in addition to improving fuel consumption efficiency. Thanks to having fewer moving parts, the tank should also benefit from much easier maintenance and will be able to traverse steep and rugged terrain more effectively than the K2.

According to Army Recognition, the new K3 will be operated by a small crew of three: a driver, a commander and a gunner. The crew will be accommodated in a heavily armored capsule near the front of the helmet. This design aims to improve crew protection by isolating them from the automatic loading system and stored ammunition.

The K3 has a unmanned turret equipped with a 130 mm smoothbore gun remotely controlled, which will allow it to attack targets at a distance of up to 5 kilometers.

It will also have advanced armormanufactured with modular steel, ceramic and composite materials. The tank will incorporate multipurpose anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) with a range of 8 kilometers, including advanced modes for line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight engagements. Another remotely controlled weapons station in the turretwhich can accommodate weapons between 12.7mm and 30mm, further enhances these capabilities.