Hyundai Rotem's K2 Black Panther Will Not Be Offered for Indian Army's FRCV Tender

Hyundai Rotem, the South Korean defence company renowned for its advanced K2 Black Panther main battle tank (MBT), has confirmed that it will not be participating in the Indian Army's tender for 1,770 Future-Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs). This surprising decision removes a major contender from one of the world's largest MBT procurement programs.

While Hyundai Rotem officials did not disclose specific reasons for their withdrawal, industry analysts point to several likely factors. The high unit cost of the K2 Black Panther, considered one of the most technologically advanced MBTs globally, may have been a significant obstacle. The Indian Army is likely seeking a balance of capability and affordability for such a large-scale acquisition, and the K2's sophisticated features come with a hefty price tag.

Furthermore, India's stringent defence procurement policies, which mandate a high degree of local content and technology transfer, may have posed challenges for Hyundai Rotem. The FRCV program requires 55-60% indigenous content, necessitating significant technology transfer and local production. Adapting the K2's advanced systems to meet these requirements could have proven complex and costly.

The FRCV tender stipulates that participating companies must establish local partnerships and agree to extensive customization to meet the Indian Army's specific operational needs. This necessitates significant investment in local manufacturing and engineering capabilities, potentially adding to the financial burden for bidders.

Despite its absence from the Indian tender, the K2 Black Panther remains a testament to South Korea's growing defence industry prowess. Developed entirely with korean technology, the K2 boasts a 120mm smoothbore gun, an automatic loading system, advanced composite armor, and a domestically-produced power pack. Its cutting-edge electronics, including a radar system for intercepting incoming projectiles, place it among the most formidable MBTs in service.

The Indian Army's FRCV program aims to replace its aging fleet of T-72 tanks with a modern, future-ready force. The tender has garnered significant international interest, with numerous global defence companies vying to provide their latest MBT technologies to India. This ambitious modernization effort underscores India's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

While the K2 Black Panther will not be part of this modernization drive, the Indian Army's FRCV program promises to be a pivotal development in the global armored vehicle market. The competition to secure this lucrative contract is likely to be fierce, with the winning design shaping the future of India's armored forces for decades to come.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Develop FRCV in house. Why import and screwdrive.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

India should develop its own design, possibly with the help of Israeli help.

 

[sanket]

Develop FRCV in house. Why import and screwdrive.

Right Instead of paying premium amount it should b developed with including pvt players such as Bharat forge , L&T

 

[Sudha]

Right Instead of paying premium amount it should b developed with including pvt players such as Bharat forge , L&T

If it is manufactured by DPSUs (which most probably will happen) it will cost more than the premium amount of imports.

 

[Harsh]

Will be surprised to see any country willing to make even a cursory offer if it read the requirements and T&Cs of the tender. I guess MOD cannot offer a meaningful job to RFP writers.

 

[Sridhar]

K2 Black PANTHER is also considered to be one of the most expensive MBT of the world. Also has great capabilities.

 

[tasks discussion]

When we can do in-house then why foreign? Once you develop somehting it goes on interval based upgradations which makes it advance in nature. Just look at Tejas Mk 1A technologies.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

WHY imported once again? Just give the order to CVRDE for NGMBT-FMBT FRCV tanks next jv with Germany once again for 140 mm autoloader main smoothbore guns...

 

[Capt. Anubhav Sharma]

To understand this issue let's accept reality first

1. India doesn't have that advance cutting edge technology as of now
2. if we develop it then it will delay acquisition by atleat 10 years as we need to develop then trials and then unrealistic upgrades reqd by our armed forces

so we can either delay the whole project or we can do it in collaboration with other countries

 

[Prateek]

We have tata and Mahindra who can make quality cars and military truck give them time can't they make tanks

 

[Biju UK]

As far as I see it , Hyundai made a wise choice - they understand the Indian tender processes and know that nothing will happen in the next 15 years. Also TOT is just a much touted word , we are yet to see the TOT's bringing any considerable technology upheaval as far as the PSU,s are concerned. Its kind of a routine ask to pay lipservice to Aatma Nirbhar. Now the time frames are probably like this india would decide on the make and model by 2040 , we get the first batch by 2045 and the 1700 numbers are met by 2055. By that time the entire model and make would be outdated and obsolete then the PSU,s will start talking about developing another amazing tank and this goes on and on.

 

[Frank]

We have tata and Mahindra who can make quality cars and military truck give them time can't they make tanks

That's the problem our private companirs are useless and greedy they only want profit and screw driving.... No innovation

 

[Mrityunjay Shrivastav]

That's the problem our private companirs are useless and greedy they only want profit and screw driving.... No innovation

our private companies have designed and even modified kestral with obsolete BMP2 turret (cause army asked for it), how many units army is ordering? morocco is buying them in bigger number, about kalyani guns too armenia bought it, how many units army placed order for?

 

[Akshat]

If it is manufactured by DPSUs (which most probably will happen) it will cost more than the premium amount of imports.

Unlikely. Light tank is going to a private player, no? Army has learnt that giving any major contracts to DPSUs is suicidal. People might blame army all the time, but if you look closely, they are at the forefront of indigenization with the help of private players.

 

[Akshat]

To understand this issue let's accept reality first

1. India doesn't have that advance cutting edge technology as of now
2. if we develop it then it will delay acquisition by atleat 10 years as we need to develop then trials and then unrealistic upgrades reqd by our armed forces

so we can either delay the whole project or we can do it in collaboration with other countries

Not really. We managed to roll out the light tank in less than 2 years, right? Prototypes of FICV were also rolled out in similar timeframe. We may have to import the components in some cases but we can surely make the tank and quick fast as well.

As for armed forces, most of their requirements are pretty genuine. If not, the developer shouldn’t accept them at the start of the project itself. Once accepted, the requirements are not only possible but highly probable.

 

[Akshat]

our private companies have designed and even modified kestral with obsolete BMP2 turret (cause army asked for it), how many units army is ordering? morocco is buying them in bigger number, about kalyani guns too armenia bought it, how many units army placed order for?

Army bought trial units and tested them. Based on feedback mk2 version has now been developed. Tender for 198 units is already out.

As for Morocco, do they have mountains like us? Or swampy battlefields? So before comparing please tell us what were the requirements of the IA and what were the requirements of Morocco.

 

[Varaaah]

Good. Let India make its own. Let the generals have no choice but to accept Indian products. They can be improved after acceptance.