Hyundai Rotem completes production of latest batches of K1A2 and K2 MBTs

by Parth Shukla

DAPA has completed delivery of a second batch of K2 main battle tanks to the Republic of Korea Army. (Hyundai Rotem)

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced that local firm Hyundai Rotem has completed production of its latest batches of the K1A2 and K2 Black Panther main battle tanks (MBTs).

According to DAPA, the third batch of the mass-produced K1A2s offers “improved performance” over the K1A1 MBT, enabling interlinked Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) operations with the K2 MBTs and K21 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). Other enhancements include the integration of a digital battlefield management system, an identification system, and front and back cameras, among others.

DAPA also said that a new digital system integrated onto the latest batch has replaced a previous analogue equipment. The third-batch K1A2s also feature GPS-based satellite navigation systems to enable real-time information sharing and accurate battlefield identification, said DAPA. It added that Hyundai Rotem's production of the K1A2 is expected to end in 2023.

The K1A2 is an upgraded variant of the K1A1 MBT. Janes Armour and Artillery


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BAE Systems to partner with Australia's ASC for AUKUS submarines

by Michael Fabey & Ridzwan Rahmat

BAE Systems was confirmed as the UK shipbuilding partner for AUKUS submarines, shown here as an artist rendition. (BAE Systems)

Britian's BAE Systems will partner with Australian shipbuilder ASC to build Canberra's nuclear-powered submarines for the trilateral AUKUS defence agreement, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on 21 March.

The partnership deal follows “months of negotiations” and could be worth “billions of pounds”, theMoD said in a release.

First announced in September 2021, AUKUS calls for the three countries – Australia, the UK, and the US – to work together on a range of capabilities, including a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia, the ministry release noted.

Phase Two of AUKUS involves the sale of three US Virginia-class submarines to Australia with an option for up to two more, subject to US Congressional approval. Phase Three is the construction of the trilateral nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) for AUKUS.

The first UK submarines built to this design will be delivered in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-class vessels, and the first Australian submarines will follow in the early 2040s.


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Milestone: Sweden joins NATO

by Nicholas Fiorenza & Andrew MacDonald

The Swedish flag was raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 11 March to mark the country's accession to the alliance as its 32nd member on 7 March. (NATO)

NATO welcomed Sweden as its 32nd member on 7 March. The Scandinavian country had intended to join together with Finland, but Turkey and Hungary blocked Swedish accession until the Grand National Assembly of Turkey approved it on 23 January, followed by the Hungarian parliament on 26 February.

Response to Russia

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership on 18 May 2022 and were invited to join the alliance by the Madrid summit of allied leaders on 4 July 2022. Finland joined NATO on 4 April 2023.

As Enhanced Opportunities Partners under NATO's Partnership Interoperability Initiative, Finland and Sweden were able to skip joining the alliance's Membership Action Plan that has been required of the most recent countries to become NATO members, reflecting the fact that the two Nordic countries are more interoperable with allies than some NATO countries.


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Bangladesh Army test-fires CS/AA3 anti-aircraft guns

by Kapil Kajal

The CS/AA3 gun – pictured above in service with the Cameroonian Defence Forces – has a maximum slant range of 11 km, but its effective slant range is 4 km and effective altitude is 3 km. (Cameroon Ministry of Defence)

The Bangladesh Army's Adhoc 57 Air Defence (AD) Regiment Artillery test-fired two CS/AA3 twin-barrel anti-aircraft gun systems for the first time during a firing exercise held in mid-March at Inanistha AD Firing Range in Cox's Bazar.

According to a press release by Bangladesh Armed Forces' media and public relations wing Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) in mid-March, the system is capable of hitting ground and air targets at a maximum strike range of 4 km.

The test fire confirms the induction of the systems – manufactured by China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco) – in the Bangladesh Army. The ISPR imagery suggests the induction of at least three CS/AA3 systems into the service.

The CS/AA3 – known as PG99 in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) service – is intended to intercept low and slow-flying threats such as close air support aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).


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South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced that local firm Hyunda...

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