Morocco mulls acquiring South Korea’s K2 "Black Panther" tanks

RABAT - Morocco is reportedly in the early stages of evaluating a major potential acquisition of up to 400 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks from South Korea, signalling a significant step in the Kingdom's ongoing military modernization efforts and further deepens defense ties with Seoul.

The interest in the K2 Black Panther traces back to at least April 2025, when Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, visited Seoul and formally expressed interest in the tank during high-level discussions with South Korean officials. This visit laid the groundwork for broader evaluations of South Korean defense systems.

Recent media reports indicate that Morocco's Ministry of Defense is now actively assessing the acquisition of up to 400 units.

This would represent one of the largest single export deals for the K2 platform and mark South Korea's most substantial defense penetration into the African or Arab markets to date.

The evaluation is part of a wider review of Morocco's land forces modernization. It includes not only tanks but also complementary systems like the Cheongung (KM-SAM) medium-range air defense system, additional K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers (building on existing acquisitions), and potentially even KSS-III submarines.

The K2 Black Panther, developed by Hyundai Rotem and in service with the South Korean Army since 2014, is widely regarded as one of the world's most advanced fourth-generation main battle tanks.

A desert-optimized variant, the K2ME, has been highlighted as particularly suitable for Morocco's hot, arid environments, including desert and mountainous regions relevant to its operational theaters.

Morocco's current armoured fleet is diverse but aging in parts: it includes around 222 M1A1 Abrams (US-supplied, heavy but maintenance-intensive), older M60 Patton tanks, a small number of Chinese Type 90 II tanks, and formerly some T-72B models.

Acquiring 400 K2 tanks could allow Morocco to phase out obsolete platforms, standardize much of its fleet on a modern, lower-maintenance system, and achieve qualitative superiority in ground combat capabilities on the continent.

This potential deal aligns with Morocco's broader strategy of diversifying defense suppliers beyond traditional partners like the United States, France, and (historically) Russia. It builds on established cooperation with South Korea, including prior purchases of K9 howitzers and other systems.

The move occurs amid persistent tensions with neighbouring Algeria, which maintains a large armored force (including T-90s and other Russian systems). Analysts note that 400 K2 tanks would dramatically shift the ground balance in Morocco's favor, especially when combined with existing air superiority advantages and emerging ties with partners like Israel and Turkey.