Hyundai Rotem has become the first South Korean defense manufacturer to receive NATO’s Allied Quality Assurance Publications (AQAP)-2110 certification for its armored vehicle portfolio, including the K2 main battle tank. The certification verifies compliance with NATO quality assurance standards throughout product design, manufacturing, and lifecycle management, strengthening the company’s eligibility for future defense contracts with NATO member states. In addition to the K2 tank, the certification covers armored recovery and combat engineering vehicles, with plans to expand certification across additional defense products. The achievement supports South Korea’s expanding defense exports to Europe, where demand has grown due to rapid delivery schedules, interoperability with NATO equipment, competitive pricing, and technology transfer partnerships. Major export successes, including Poland’s acquisition of K2 tanks and Hanwha Aerospace’s missile system contracts, further reinforce South Korea’s growing position within the European defense market.
