Wang Jung-hong, chief of Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), said they were ready to launch the 1,500-horsepower engine they developed with local sources for K2 Black Panther.

“Some rules have hampered a product launch, but we’ve cleared that up now,” he said, noting the agency was eyeing countries in Europe and the Middle East as potential customers for the locally manufactured component.

The power pack was developed in collaboration with Hanwha Defense Systems and Hyundai Rotem, which provides technology support for Altay to Turkey.

It was stated that the mass production of the Altay tank would begin with the engines to be delivered from abroad. Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, President of Defence Industries, also announced that an alternative solution would be reached for the engine shortage in the Altay tank. In June, news had been received that the production of the Altay tank had begun.