Hyundai Rotem Armored Vehicles Earn South Korea’s First NATO Quality Certification
Hyundai Rotem’s armored vehicle lineup, including the K2 main battle tank (MBT), has become the first South Korean defense product to receive a quality assurance certification from NATO.
The Allied Quality Assurance Publications (AQAP)-2110 certification verifies that defense equipment meets NATO quality assurance requirements throughout the design and production process.
It is considered a key prerequisite for supplying defense equipment to NATO member states and could strengthen Hyundai Rotem’s position in future procurement bids.
While the certification covers the company’s K2 MBT, armored recovery vehicles, and combat engineering platforms, Hyundai Rotem expressed plans to expand the scope to its other defense products, as per Korea Times.
K-Defense in Europe
The AQAP-2110 certification also supports South Korea’s broader ambition to expand defense exports across Europe.
Surging demand for “K-Defense” stems from the Korean systems’ interoperability with NATO-standard defense equipment, rapid delivery timelines, competitive pricing, and willingness to offer technology transfer arrangements.
Hyundai Rotem made a major breakthrough in Europe after Poland signed a framework agreement for up to 1,000 K2 tanks, including plans for localized production.
The company delivered the first K2 tanks about three months after the contract was signed in August 2022.
Other South Korean defense firms have also expanded their European presence.
Hanwha Aerospace has secured K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system orders from Estonia, Norway, and Poland, and established a joint venture with Poland’s WB Electronics to produce Chunmoo missiles locally.
