K-1 88-Tank

Development on the K1 began in the late 1970s using Korean technology. Mass production began in 1986, and the first units were deployed with Army units in 1987. The K1 was given the name “88Tank” when it was first deployed, the “88” symbolizing the Olympic games to be hosted by Seoul in the following year.
The main armament of the K1 was the KM68A1 105mm rifled gun. This main gun is able to take out not only the T55/62 main battle tanks of North Korea, but also the newer T72. Special armor gives the K1 outstanding defensive capabilities, and a fire control system combining a thermal imaging device and laser rangefinder make it highly accurate during both day and night. The K1 also has a kneeling system.
The main gun of a tank can usually be tilted vertically within a range of 6 to +19 degrees, but the K1 uses a hydropneumatic suspension to raise or lower the front and back of the tank chassis, increasing this range. The kneeling ability makes the K1 perfectly suited to the mountainous terrain of Korea. The K1 is the main battle tank of the Korean Army and Marine Corps. It has been consistently upgraded to keep its combat performance uptodate.
The example of the K1 shown here used an engine completely different from that used in the massproduced version.