D
Land ForcesSouth Korea

K1A1

Main battle tankFielded 2001Pending verification
Land ForcesKOR
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction2001
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerHyundai RotemMed[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.59 m12 ftMed[1]
Height2.25 m7 ftMed[1]
Combat weight53.2 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
Engine1 x MTU MB871Med[1]
Engine power1,200 hpMed[1]
TransmissionZF LSG 3000 automatic transmission w/mechanical lock-up and 4 forward/2 reverse gearsMed[1]
SuspensionHybrid (torsion bar at wheel stations 3, 4 and 5 and hydro-pneumatic units at wheel stations 1, 2 and 6); 6 road wheels with 19.7-in (500-mm) travelMed[1]
Max road speed65 km/h40 mph · 35 ktMed[1]
Cruising range500 km311 mi · 270 nmiMed[1]
Fording without Preparation1.2 mMed[1]
Fording with Preparation2.2 mMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorThe improved armor is called 'Korean Special Armor Plate (KSAP)'Med[1]
Turret ArmorThe improved armor is called 'Korean Special Armor Plate (KSAP)' is fitted over the frontal arc, turret front and sides. This provides protection against both kinetic and chemical energy attacks.Med[1]
Applique ArmorAvailableMed[1]
NBC Protectioncollective: M13A1 gas-particulate filterMed[1]
Smoke Equipment2 x 6 smoke grenade launchers on either side of turretMed[1]
Armament
Secondary armamentM60E1; K6Med[1]
Fire control
Computerized FCSYesMed[1]
Main Gun StabilizationYesMed[1]
Thermal SightsYesMed[1]
Laser RangefinderYes, with a Range of 200-7,990 mMed[1]
Variants
XK1Experimental model under the ROKIT (Republic of Korea Indigenous Tank) project.[1]
K1First production variant. 1,027 units built between 1985 and 1998. To be upgraded to K1E1 by 2026.[1]
K1MProposed export variant for Malaysia. In 1997, Malaysia expressed great interest in obtaining the K1, and the ROK responded by showing them the concept for K1M, which had several features not present in the baseline K1, [1]
K1 PIPUpgraded K1. PIP includes changes in SAP to KSAP, GPS to GPTTS, and Nd-Yag to CO2 rangefinder.[1]
K1E1Further upgraded K1. Production began in December 2013, and the first K1E1 rolled out on 7 July 2014. The upgrade will be similar to that of K1A2. All K1 will be upgraded to K1E1 by 2026.[9] The name was inherited from t[1]
K1E2As of August 2018, the K1E2 type is planned to be improved. It is expected to be upgraded to a large-scale repair (renovation) in 2024. The main improvement point is the replacement of the new armored upgrading of the pr[1]
Weapons and payload options · 1Confidence · Source
APFSDS-T120 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
31 Rounds
Armor penetration
650mm at 2 km
Summary

The K1A1, an upgraded version of the K1 MBT, was accepted into Korean service on 13 October 2001, after the first one was produced on 3 April 1996. The KM68 main gun has been replaced with the KM256 120 mm main gun (a licensed production model of the U.S.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
South Korea
Sources
  1. K1A1 South Korean Main Battle Tank (MBT), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import