- Hyundai Rotem has signed a $170 million contract with South Korea’s defense agency to deliver additional K600 obstacle-clearing tanks by 2029.
- The new K600s will be fielded for the first time by frontline infantry divisions and the Marine Corps, following earlier deliveries to mechanized units.
South Korea has finalized a new production contract for its K600 Rhino obstacle-clearing combat engineering tank, marking the first time the vehicle will be supplied directly to frontline Army units and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
According to an announcement carried by Yonhap News, Hyundai Rotem said on December 9 that it signed a second-phase production agreement with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration valued at 250 billion won (approximately $170 million). The company says final delivery under the contract is scheduled for December 31, 2029.
The K600 is designed to clear mines, debris, and other battlefield obstacles ahead of advancing forces. As noted by Hyundai Rotem, the tank “removes mines and obstacles using its mine‑clearing plow and excavator arm to secure maneuver routes for friendly forces.” The company says the forward‑mounted plow tills the ground to locate buried mines, while a magnetic influence device generates a field strong enough to detonate magnetically triggered mines at a safe distance.
Mounted on the upper hull, the excavator arm can be fitted with a breaker to crush rocks or employed as a crane to lift heavy objects, enabling a range of combat engineering tasks in difficult terrain.
Frontline placement of the K600 marks a shift in South Korea’s deployment approach. Existing first‑production vehicles were assigned primarily to mechanized units that operate main battle tanks, a move aimed at maximizing mobility and familiarizing armored formations with the platform. According to the report, the new production batch “will be deployed to frontline infantry divisions and the Marine Corps for the first time.”
The Republic of Korea Marine Corps expects that having the K600 will allow faster access through mined coastal areas during amphibious operations. Army officials also indicated the system will strengthen survivability and maneuver options along the heavily militarized border.
Hyundai Rotem says the second‑phase batch will incorporate user‑driven improvements. The company noted that “the movement range of the commander’s seat will be expanded, and vibration levels of the right‑side rearview mirror during movement are expected to be reduced,” reflecting operational feedback from Army crews who have used earlier models in training.
In a statement, a Hyundai Rotem representative said, “As the importance of tanks grows in national defense worldwide, the need for obstacle‑clearing tanks that maximize tank efficiency is also increasing.”
The K600 is based on the K1A1 tank chassis and is part of South Korea’s broader push to modernize combat engineering capabilities, enhance armored mobility, and support rapid breaching operations in high‑threat environments.