South Korea signed a framework agreement on Tuesday (local time) to supply Peru's army with 54 K2 main battle tanks and 141 K808 wheeled armored vehicles. This marks Seoul's largest defense export deal in Latin America, aimed at modernizing Peru's forces and fostering long-term industrial ties. The presidential office stated that the agreement will significantly elevate bilateral defense and security cooperation.
South Korea's push into the Latin American defense market has gained momentum. Hyundai Rotem signed a framework agreement with Peru's army in Lima on December 9, 2025 (local time), to supply 54 K2 main battle tanks and 141 K808 wheeled armored vehicles. The total of 195 ground-combat vehicles represents an estimated value exceeding 2 trillion won (about $1.4 billion), making it Korea's largest ground equipment export to the region.
The signing ceremony was attended by Lee Yong-chul, chief of Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Peruvian President Jose Jeri, and the defense minister. The agreement outlines the supply of tanks and vehicles, along with training and follow-up support, and provides a roadmap to finalize implementation contracts by next year. The K2 tank, deployed with the South Korean army since 2014, will debut in Latin America, expanding beyond its European exports to Poland.
President Lee Jae Myung issued a statement congratulating both countries on the framework agreement for ground equipment with Peru. "I hope it serves as an opportunity to significantly elevate our bilateral defense and security cooperation," he said. He emphasized Peru's choice of Korean systems to bolster its military and develop its defense industry, stressing the importance of building a mutually beneficial model of defense cooperation.
This deal is part of South Korea's efforts to diversify its arms exports. In May last year, Hyundai Rotem and STX signed a $60 million contract to supply 30 K808 vehicles to Peru. In November, Hyundai Rotem inked a comprehensive cooperation agreement for exporting ground weapons, including K2 tanks. Earlier this year, it secured a contract for a second batch of K2 tanks to Poland, following the initial 2022 deal.
