A strategic deal is on the horizon: Morocco moves closer to acquiring the K2 Black Panther tank
In an unprecedented step, Rabat has opened formal channels with South Korea to procure the advanced K2 Black Panther battle tank, as revealed by the French newspaper L’Opinion on April 12, 2025.
The move came during an official visit by Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour to Seoul, where he met with high-ranking Korean officials, notably Minister of Trade Ahn Duk-geun and Economic Diplomacy Coordinator Kim Hee-sang.
However, behind these economic meetings lay an unannounced goal: enhancing Morocco’s arsenal with advanced Korean technology.
What makes the K2 appealing to Morocco?
– A 120mm auto-loading cannon capable of firing 10 shells per minute
– Thermal imaging system and automatic target tracking
– Electronic integration within a command and control network (C4I)
– A 1500 horsepower diesel engine with an automatic transmission
– An intelligent suspension system that adjusts height based on terrain
– Advanced protection including composite armor and “soft kill” and “hard kill” systems
The Korean tank operates with just three crew members, reducing the crew size while enhancing combat and economic efficiency.
First official Korean acknowledgment
The meetings included Hyundai Rotem, the tank manufacturer, where discussions centered on prospects for industrial defense cooperation. This is the first time it has been publicly mentioned in Korean media that Morocco is interested in the K2.
The Moroccan delegation did not limit itself to the tank; it also expressed strong interest in the KSS-III attack submarine and the Cheongung-II air defense system, revealing a desire to diversify armament sources and move away from American dominance.
Does the K2 compete with the American Abrams?
Morocco currently operates:
– 222 M1A1SA tanks
– 162 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks (under contract)
– Tanks such as M60, T-72, VT-1A, AMX-10RC, and SK-105
However, the K2 offers features not available in the Abrams:
– An automatic loading system
– An intelligent suspension system
– Lighter weight
– Greater flexibility in software updates
On the other hand, the Abrams excels in protection systems and integration with NATO, making the Moroccan decision a technological and strategic gamble.
Is rail transport the gateway to defense cooperation?
Last February, Hyundai Rotem signed a contract with the Moroccan National Railway Office to supply 168 double-decker electric trains worth $1.5 billion.
The presence of this company in Morocco paves the way for a defense production line. The Polish scenario is in play: 180 K2 tanks imported and 820 manufactured locally.
Will Morocco replicate this equation? And will we soon see K2 tanks marked “Made in Morocco”?
Why submarines now?
Morocco currently does not possess any submarines. Its interest in the KSS-III submarine reveals a desire to expand its underwater capabilities, representing a qualitative development in its naval strategy, especially amid tensions in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.
