Although it has Abrams, Egypt wants to produce K2 Black Panther tanks
CAIRO, ($1=15.71 Egyptian Pounds) – Egyptian authorities behind the scenes of the EDEX defense exhibition in Cairo have begun talks with the South Korean government on the possible organization of licensed production at the facilities in Egypt of the South Korean K2 Black Panther tank, BulgarianMilitary.com has learned, citing Military Magazine.
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According to military analysts, Cairo has found a better candidate to replace the Soviet T-55 and T-62 tanks than the Russian T-90 tank.
The authors of the publication note that the data on the negotiations for the possible licensed production of K2 Black Panther in Egypt come against the background of the fact that Cairo and Seoul are already negotiating the possible supply of K9 self-propelled guns to the Egyptian armed forces.
Therefore, it is quite logical to assume that Egypt and South Korea are now, in fact, “on the verge” of signing a major agreement on systematic cooperation in the military and political spheres.
South Korea has a ready-made modification of the K2 tank, which is adapted to the desert climate and which can be sold to Egypt. As early as 2018, Seoul offered its modified K2 Oman, but the actual signing of the contract never came.
Interestingly, in 2018 Egypt held talks with Russia on the possible organization of licensed production of T-90 tanks in its capacity. There was talk of a possible delivery of up to 500 T-90s, but Cairo and Moscow could not agree.
Currently, the “core” of the Egyptian army’s armored forces are 1,360 M1A1 Abrams tanks.
In addition, there are up to 1,100 M60 tanks, up to 30 T-80 tanks, and up to 1,100 T-55 and T-62 tanks. It is to replace the Soviet T-55 and T-62 that Egypt wants to buy the South Korean K2, the authors of Military Magazine admit.
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