ROTEM K1 (Type 88) Main Battle Tank (1986)
The ROTEM K1 is the standard frontline main battle tank for South Korean army forces.
The original plan was to acquire all the tanks available and produce new Pattons in Korea. This ended in a no-agreement because the amount of Patton's available was insufficient for the Korean's needs. Contracts were secured to upgrade existing Korean Patton's and the design team looked at production rights for the German Leopard 1. After some consideration, the Korean team felt that with new Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams being developed, producing older tank versions could reduce their ability to counter new Soviet designs. Instead, the tank chosen by the South Koreans would be a variation of the American M1 Abrams design - developed by the General Dynamics Land Systems company. Looking forward to the manufacture of the tank in South Korea, Hyundai Precision engineers were sent to study at General Dynamics and supervise production of the variation called the XK1.
With its origins in the M1 Abrams, it is easy to see the external similarities between the South Korea Type 88 (ROTEM K1) Main Battle Tank and the American M1 Abrams. Hyundai Precision & Inc Company Limited (now ROTEM) handled production of the vehicle locally in South Korea (though some parts production was handled overseas). Though the system was originally designed to take on the vast amounts of North Korean T-54/T-55/T-62 main battle tanks of Soviet design, the Type 88 has since grown to compete with the latest generation tanks from around the globe.
The Type 88 features the M68 105mm rifled main gun, though an upgunned M256 120mm variant is also available (standard in the K1A1). Full NBC protection, day/night sighting and a computerized fire control system round out the major features of this main battle tank. Crew accommodations is conventional by western standards and include the driver, ammunition loader, tank commander and gunner. The driver has controls to adjust suspension on-the-fly while the commander's station features stabilized sighting equipment along with an all-digital computer system.
Power is derived from the 1 x MTU 871 Ka-501 diesel engine developing up to 1,200 horsepower at 2,600rpm. Road speed is equal to 65 kilometers per hour with a range of 457 kilometers. Its listed weight is 51,000 kilograms.
The K1 has evolved into an AVLB (bridgelayer) and an ARV (Armored Recovery Vehicle). Malaysia is the other operator of the K1 series, this in the form of the K1M. Production of the system in all forms - as of this writing - is approximately 1,500 examples. The K1 entered service in 1986. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
ROTEM K1 (Type 88)
Main Battle Tank
Country of Origin: South Korea
Manufacturer: Hyundai ROTEM - South Korea
Initial Year of Service: 1986
Production: 1,500
Focus Model: ROMTEM K1 (Type 88)
Crew: 4
Overall Length: 31.73ft (9.67m)
Width: 11.78ft (3.59m)
Height: 7.35ft (2.24m)
Weight: 56.2 US Short Tons (51,000kg; 112,436lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x MTU 871 Ka-501 diesel generating 1,200hp at 2,600rpm.
Maximum Speed: 40mph (65 km/h)
Maximum Range: 284 miles (457 km)
NBC Protection: Yes
Nightvision: Yes
Armament:
K1:
1 x 105mm KM68A1 main gun
1 x 12.7mm K6 anti-aircraft machine gun
1 x 7.62mm M60E2-1 coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm M60D GPMG at loader cupola
2 x 6 smoke dischargers
K1A1:
1 x 120mm KM256 main gun
1 x 12.7mm K6 anti-aircraft machine gun
1 x 7.62mm M60E2-1 coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62mm M60D GPMG at loader cupola
2 x 6 smoke dischargers
Ammunition:
47 x 105mm projectiles
1,000 x 12.7mm ammunition
8,800 x 7.62mm ammunition
12 x smoke grenades
Variants:
XK1 - Developmental Designation; based on the American Abrams MBT.
K1 - Base main battle tank
K1A1 - Upgraded K1 model; 120mm main gun
K1 AVLB - Bridgelayer
K1 ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle
K1M - Malaysia Export Variant
Operators: South Korea; Malaysia (K1M)
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