Hyundai Rotem has secured a $170 million deal with South Korea’s defense procurement agency to supply additional K600 obstacle-clearing tanks, with deliveries scheduled through 2029.
South Korea has approved a new production contract for the K600 Rhino obstacle-clearing combat engineering tank, extending the program and marking the first deployment of the system to frontline Army infantry divisions and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
Hyundai Rotem confirmed on December 9 that it signed a second-phase production agreement with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), valued at 250 billion won (around $170 million). Deliveries under the contract are scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2029.
The K600 Rhino is designed to support advancing forces by clearing mines, rubble, and other battlefield obstacles. The vehicle uses a mine-clearing plow and an excavator arm to open safe maneuver routes. The forward plow churns soil to expose buried mines, while a magnetic influence system detonates magnetically triggered mines from a safe distance.
An excavator arm mounted on the upper hull increases operational flexibility. It can be equipped with a rock-breaking attachment or used as a crane to lift heavy loads, allowing the K600 to perform a wide range of combat engineering tasks in challenging terrain.
This new deployment represents a shift in South Korea’s force structure. Earlier K600 units were primarily assigned to mechanized formations operating main battle tanks. Under the new contract, the latest production batch will be delivered to frontline infantry divisions and the Marine Corps for the first time.
The Marine Corps anticipates that the K600 will significantly improve mobility during amphibious and coastal operations by enabling faster breaching of mined landing zones. Army officials also expect the system to enhance maneuverability and survivability in sensitive border areas.
Hyundai Rotem stated that the second-phase vehicles will incorporate operational feedback from active units. Planned upgrades include improved adjustability of the commander’s seat and reduced vibration in the right-side rear-view mirror during movement.
A Hyundai Rotem spokesperson noted that as armored forces gain importance globally, the demand for specialized combat engineering platforms that enhance tank effectiveness is also growing. Built on the K1A1 tank chassis, the K600 Rhino supports South Korea’s broader efforts to modernize armored mobility and breaching capabilities in high-threat environments.
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