Though Korea and Peru are on opposite sides of the globe, they have a similar climate and geography, making the Black Panther easy to adapt for Peruvian conditions.
Following months of negotiations, South Korea and Peru signed a wide-ranging framework agreement under which the South American nation will purchase 54 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks (MBTs) and 141 K808 8×8 wheeled armored vehicles, part of Lima’s most extensive military acquisition program in decades.
The South Korean-based Hyundai Rotem, which developed the Black Panther, concluded a landmark agreement with FAME SAC, Peru’s national defense company, valued at at least $1.7 billion.
“As Peru has chosen K-defense not only to strengthen its military capabilities but also to foster its own industrial growth, our two countries must build a defense-industry partnership that ensures mutual benefit,” South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said in a statement.
Significant Milestone Marked for Peru and South Korea
The agreement was signed on the 201st anniversary of the Battle of Ayachucho, also known as the “corner of the dead,” the final confrontation in the land campaigns in the Spanish American Wars of Independence.
The Independentist forces defeated the Spanish Royalists, securing Peru’s independence and, eventually, that of the rest of South America.
December 9 is now celebrated as the Day of the Peruvian Army.
Contracts will be finalized by June 2026, and, if concluded, the deal would be South Korea’s largest defense export to Latin America, underscoring the Asian nation’s efforts to become a primary arms seller. The deal is also the first for the K2 Black Panther beyond Europe.
South Korea had previously forged a deal with Poland, and the first batch of K2s arrived in December 2022, with subsequent batches delivered throughout 2023 and 2024. A follow-up $6.5 billion contract was signed between Warsaw and Seoul in June 2025 for additional tanks and other vehicles, and is part of a licensing deal that will see the vehicles produced in Poland.
Is the K2 Black Panther the Right Tank for South America?
The South Korean K2 Black Panther was developed specifically to operate in the Korean Peninsula’s hilly terrain. Although South Korea and Peru are on opposite sides of the globe, they are very similar in geography and climate, and the tank’s rugged performance at high altitudes was likely a selling point for the Peruvian military. The South American nation has varied terrain, including a flat coastal region and a mountainous interior, where the K2 could be well-suited.
The Black Panther is equipped with a unique suspension system that can be adjusted into various positions. For cross-country performance, the suspension is raised, providing the K2 with greater ground clearance, while on roads, the suspension is lowered to hug the ground for better speed. In addition, the K2 can “lean,” “sit,” or “kneel” to provide the main gun better maneuverability in hull-down positions. When leaning back, the K2 can raise its main gun to engage low-flying aircraft or to better engage higher targets.
The K2 Black Panther MBT is operated by a crew of three: a commander, gunner, and driver. The MBT’s main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, produced under license in South Korea and equipped with a domestically designed automatic loader, which can load projectiles on the move, including on uneven surfaces.
The Black Panther will be a considerable upgrade for Peru, which currently operates an aging fleet of around 300 T-54/55 series tanks that Lima first acquired in the early 1970s. Even as Cold War-era tanks have undergone significant upgrades over the past five decades, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has shown that the antiquated T-54/55 is no match for modern armor.
Further Military Upgrades Are Coming to Peru
Lima has initiated a significant effort to modernize its military, and in another deal announced its state-owned Servicios Industriales de la Marina (SIMA) earlier this year, Peru would co-develop four submarines for the Peruvian Navy with aid from Hyundai Heavy Industries. The new boats will replace the German-made submarines acquired in the 1970s. In addition, a new frigate, two amphibious warships, and at least five other vessels will be built for the South American nation’s navy through its partnership with the South Korean firm.
Beyond the K2 Black Panther, the South American nation will receive a new flock of combat aircraft.
Earlier this year, Peru secured a deal with the United States to purchase a dozen Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, opting for the Fighting Falcon over the Swedish-made Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen and the French-produced Dassault Rafale. In September, the US Department of State approved Lima’s request for a potential $3.42 billion foreign military sale (FMS) of F-16 Fighting Falcons, giving the Peruvian government the option to purchase the aircraft. However, it does not commit to doing so. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has also notified Congress of the potential sale, a requirement before any deal can be finalized. It is doubtful that US lawmakers will object.
Those won’t be the only Fighting Falcons to make the flight to South America, as the first batch of Danish F-16s sold to Argentina arrived earlier this month.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / M2M_PL.
