South Korean armored vehicles sold to Peru in $2 billion deal

South Korea has announced a deal to sell 195 armored vehicles to Peru, including the first sales of the K2 "Black Panther" tanks and K808 "White Tiger" to Latin America.

The plan was signed by Peruvian President José Jerí and South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration head Lee Yong-chul, according to a report by the South Korean outlet JoongAng Daily. 

Under the agreement, the Peruvian military will acquire 54 K2 tanks and 141 K808 armored vehicles, with production to be done in collaboration between South Korean defense industries and Peru's state-run military enterprise.

Excerpts from the agreement indicate that some armored vehicles will be manufacturedand directly exported from South Korea, while others will be produced locally in Peru with collaboration from Hyundai Rotem and state-run factories. The final tally of locally produced vehicles will be confirmed in a formal contract to be signed in 2026.

The total value of this defense procurement is estimated at $2 billion USD, with successful negotiations potentially allowing K2 tanks to expand into new overseas markets, after previously only being sold to Poland and Turkey. 

The K2, referred to as Korea's main battle tank, has been in service since 2014, weighs 55 tons, measures 10 meters long, and is staffed by a crew of three. It boasts a maximum speed of 70 km/h and is armed with a 120-mm smoothbore cannon, complemented by K6 heavy machine guns on both sides.  （Related： Zelensky Promises Ukrainian Elections Within 90 Days of Receiving Security Guarantees ｜ Latest ）

Hyundai Rotem has taken proactive steps in anticipation of this contract, having signed a cooperation agreement with the Peruvian government in November 2024. The plan entails exporting an initial batch of K2 tanks from South Korea between 2026 and 2028, followed by a joint manufacturing project in Peru from 2029 to 2040.