South Korea is building a tank of the future: K3 powered by hydrogen with a 5 km cannon and AI instead of a gunner

Not diesel, but hydrogen: how the tank became quieter and more secretive

South Korea is launching a program to create a new main battle tank, the K3. His main feature? It will run on hydrogen. The developer is Hyundai Rotem. It is based on a hydrogen—diesel hybrid power plant, but the goal is clear: to switch to full hydrogen power.

Why is this necessary? Hydrogen engines are much quieter, produce less heat footprint and do not emit as much smoke. This means that the tank is more difficult to detect, especially at night or in the forest. He can also stay in ambush for longer without refueling.

A cannon at 5 km and missiles at 8 — what will he hit with

The K3's weapons are serious. The main barrel is a 130 mm smoothbore cannon mounted in an uninhabited turret. The gunner is an artificial intelligence. He chooses the firing mode himself, calculates the trajectory, and even helps determine the priority of the target.

The range of damage is up to 5 kilometers. But if the target is further away, anti—tank missiles will be used - their range reaches 8 km. The tank will also receive a remote—controlled combat module on the roof: a 12.7 mm machine gun or an automatic cannon up to 30 mm for the task.

Crew in a capsule — survivability is higher, chances of survival are higher

All three crew members — the commander, the driver, and the loader — will sit in an armored capsule in the hull, separated from the turret and ammunition. This dramatically increases the chances of surviving a hit.

If a shell pierces the turret and the ammunition explodes, the capsule remains intact. The crew can continue the battle or safely leave the vehicle.

Eyes in a circle, AI mind, and drone protection

The tank will be equipped with a 360-degree viewing system — like virtual reality: the commander will see everything around without leaning out. Autonomous functions will help you navigate through difficult terrain.

Active protection will respond to missiles, and electronic warfare systems will be able to jam drones that fly to attack. Now the tank is not just a weapon, but a mobile communications, intelligence and defense hub.

Sources

1. Amalantra.ru — K3 NG-MBT design, specs & power-pack overview
2. Hi-Tech+ — Hyundai’s silent hydrogen tank & armament details
3. Building-Tech.org — K3 future tank: AI, hybrid drive & 130 mm gun
4. Mail.ru Auto — Hyundai presents silent hydrogen tank
5. Vzglyad.ru — K3 crew layout & technical characteristics

DSEI 2025 showed a new British BMP — Ajax with a Lockheed Martin turret and a 40 mm cannon

Not just an upgrade — an elongated case and more space

At DSEI 2025 in London, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, together with Lockheed Martin, presented a new version of the Ajax infantry fighting vehicle. It's not just cosmetics — the car has received an elongated body: 30 centimeters longer than the basic Ares model. This means more internal space, more convenient for the crew and paratroopers.

The vehicle is designed for three crew members and eight fighters. Now it will be easier for soldiers to move inside, and the equipment will be placed without compromising comfort.

A turret without a crew — and a cannon that hits further

The main innovation is a new uninhabited tower, developed in the UK by Lockheed Martin. It is completely enclosed, controlled remotely from inside the car. The crew keeps their heads down, doesn't take any risks, but at the same time sees everything through cameras and thermal imagers.

The turret is equipped with a 40 mm CTA (Cased Telescoped Armament) cannon, which has already been tested in other army projects. It is more powerful than the old 30mm and allows you to fire on heavy equipment, fortified positions and even light armored cars.

What does the 40mm CTA do and why do we need a missile bay?

40mm shells are a serious increase in firepower. They penetrate more armor, deal more damage to infantry, and can be used in urban combat. The cannon is compatible with smart ammo, which increases accuracy.

Another find is a separate compartment for anti—tank guided missiles. Now the infantry fighting vehicle can not only fire a cannon, but also launch missiles at enemy tanks without leaving cover.

Tracks, protection, and why it's important for the Army

The vehicle is equipped with composite rubber tracks from the Canadian Soucy Defense. They are quieter, wear out more slowly and do not damage roads — an important advantage when moving around the city or in the rear.

An active protection system has also been announced, which means Ajax will be able to repel ATGM and grenade attacks. All this makes the car not just a transport, but a full-fledged combat unit.

Sources

1. TopWar — Track or wheel: the eternal dilemma
2. TopWar — Which track is better?
3. MySeldon — News digest on tracked systems
4. Army Guide — Comparative review of track technologies
5. Army Guide — Track durability and maintenance analysis
6. Focus.ua — South Korea unveils upgraded K9A2 SP howitzer for British Army

The Cornet now has four times more fire: new ammunition changes the rules of the game

 

Kornet

The Kornet anti—tank missile system has become four times more powerful, Rostec State Corporation has officially announced. And it's not just about upgrading, but about a real leap in combat capabilities.

The secret lies in the new cassette developed by the High—Precision Complexes holding company inside Rostec. Now one such cassette can carry four 9M134 Bulat light missiles at once, instead of one heavy one, as it was before. This means that a soldier can fire four times as many missiles in the same mission — without reloading, without delay, just by pressing the trigger several times.

Imagine: you used to have one shot, and that's it, you need to change the charge. Now - four accurate shots in a row. It's not just convenient, it changes tactics. One fighter can clear an entire position without risking going out into the open.

The 9M134 Bulat missiles are not just mini versions of their older counterparts. They are guided by a laser beam, which makes them very accurate, and their range is up to several kilometers (according to Rostec, the exact figures are not disclosed, but we are talking about kilometers). This means that the shooter can fire from a safe distance without being noticed.

In addition, the Bulat was designed to destroy not only tanks, but also lighter targets: armored personnel carriers, bunkers, and equipment in shelters. That is, the Kornet is no longer just "against tanks" — it is now a universal destroyer.

Earlier, in May, Rostec had already boasted that the Kornet was capable of penetrating any armor, including active protection and a tank turret. Now, with the new cassette, he is also four times more resilient — he can work in conditions of intense combat, where every shot decides.

The updated complex is currently undergoing pilot military operation - that is, it is already being tested in real conditions, with the participation of the military. If everything goes well, the new version of the Cornet will quickly enter service.

South Korean K3 tank with AI and active protection is moving into mass production

South Korea continues to work on its new promising K3 tank, which should replace the already well-known K2 Black Panther. The ambitious program is steadily moving forward — Hyundai Rotem has recently successfully tested an updated 130 mm cannon, developed a new generation of armor, advanced active protection systems and the integration of artificial intelligence.

The main highlight of the K3 will be the improved 130mm cannon, which Hyundai Rotem has just successfully tested. This gun should provide the tank with a significant advantage over the current 120mm systems installed on most Western tanks. It is expected that the new gun will have increased armor penetration and accuracy at long range.

The new K3 armor has been developed using advanced materials and technologies that have reduced its weight while maintaining a high degree of protection. This is especially important, because the lighter the armor, the more maneuverable and faster the tank becomes, which is critical in modern combat conditions.

In addition, an active protection system (SAZ) will be installed in the tank, which will be able to intercept anti—tank missiles and ammunition even before they collide with the hull of the vehicle - this will significantly increase the survival rate of the crew and equipment in combat.

The K3 tank is being created using artificial intelligence, which will help in targeting, pointing weapons, and even making tactical decisions. The project also uses technologies to reduce visibility, including reducing the thermal signature and reducing radar reflectivity, which makes the tank a difficult target for the enemy.

So far, the tank is under active development, but if everything goes according to plan, the K3 should become the flagship of the South Korean Army, replacing the aging but still modern K2 Black Panther. Given the pace of modernization and the scale of investments, South Korea is clearly aiming to create one of the most technologically advanced tanks of the new generation.

K3 tank

The U.S. Army has allocated more than $107 million for new vehicle protection systems in fiscal year 2026

As part of the fiscal year 2026 budget, the US Army will allocate over $107 million for the development and implementation of modern vehicle Protection Systems (VPS). The financing falls under the category of "Purchase of weapons and tracked combat vehicles" (W&TCV) and supports the modernization of tracked combat platforms.

Key initiatives on vehicle protection systems:

- Modular active protection systems with advanced laser radiation warning receivers, which will allow timely detection and neutralization of threats.

- Signature management technology aimed at reducing the visibility of equipment for the enemy due to special coatings and camouflage solutions.

- Sets of passive armor and protection against attacks from above, providing additional protection against cumulative and cluster munitions, as well as air strikes.

These measures are designed to increase the survival and combat effectiveness of tracked combat vehicles in the face of modern threats on the battlefield.

Kurganets-25: characteristics and application

 

Kurganets-25

Kurganets-25 or Object 695 is a promising medium tracked platform being developed by Tractor Plants Concern. Many other enterprises, such as the Burevestnik Central Research Institute and others, are involved in the development of the platform. The platform is designed according to a modular principle, which makes it easier and faster to manufacture and repair armored vehicles based on it. It is expected to start production for pilot military operation in 2015 and mass production in 2017.

Appointment:

The Kurganets-25 is a universal tracked platform, on the basis of which it is planned to create an infantry fighting vehicle (GABTU Index — Object 695), a tracked armored personnel carrier (GABTU Index — Object 693) and an anti-tank self-propelled gun with a 125 mm tank gun. It is intended to replace the existing infantry fighting vehicles in service with the Russian army.

Description of the construction:

The engine and transmission compartment of the platform is located in the front of the body and is shifted to the right to improve the layout of the machine. A ramp with an additional door in it is used to unload the troops. The weight of the machine will be approximately 25 tons. Metal armor elements will complement the active protection complex on the tower. Ammunition and weapons are isolated from the landing party and the crew.

The crew consists of three people. The troop compartment is designed for eight people.

The suspension is hydropneumatic, with variable ground clearance from 100 to 500 mm.

The BMD and BMP platforms are equipped with a remote-controlled universal combat module "Boomerang-BM", armed with a 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon with selective ammunition (500 rounds of ammunition), a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun (2,000 rounds of ammunition), two dual ATGM launchers "Kornet". An automatic grenade launcher is not provided. The movement of the combat module is carried out by computer-controlled electric motors. The combat module can be controlled by the gunner and the vehicle commander. Due to robotics, the universal combat module is able to monitor the target and independently fire at the object until it is destroyed, the operator only needs to specify the target, after which the computer will monitor it itself.

The car is also equipped with environmental surveillance cameras. There is an embrasure for an AK assault rifle in the rear door.

Experimental military operation:

Since 2015, batches of vehicles for experimental military operation have been sent to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The military cited the high profile of the car as a disadvantage. Despite the fact that the profile of the Kurganets is approximately the same in height as that of its Western counterparts (48 mm higher than that of the M2 Bradly and 58 mm lower than that of the German Puma), as well as the thickness of the armor, the Russian military, which traditionally prefers vehicles with a low profile, they call it the "grenade launcher dream." Because of this, the deadlines for completing research and development work (R&D) on the Kurganets-25 medium tracked platform were shifted by a year. According to Albert Bakov, First vice president and co-owner of the Tractor Plants concern, state tests will begin in 2017 due to the refinement of the machine profile.

Cars on the base:

Object 693 is an armored personnel carrier.

Object 695 is an infantry fighting vehicle.

TTX:

- Classification: Unified Medium tracked platform

- Combat weight: ~25 tons

- Layout: Front-engine

- Crew: 3 people

- Landing party: 8 people

- Manufacturer: Russia

- Years of operation: 2015 - present

- Body length: 7,200 mm

- Case width: 3,200 mm

- Height:

2,365 mm (on the roof of the hull)

3,020 mm (with the combat module)

3,290 mm (on the commander's sight)

- Active protection: Afghanite

- Dynamic protection: Yes

- Suspension type: Independent semi-active hydropneumatic torsion bar on longitudinal arms

- Surmountable ford: Floats