Hyundai to develop world’s first ‘stealth’ fuel cell-powered battle tank

Hyundai Rotem, the South Korean defense contractor and a branch of the Hyundai Group, is pioneering the development of hydrogen fuel cell-powered battle tanks. This ambitious project, part of a collaboration with the National Defense Research Institute and other defense technology organizations, aims to create a tank that achieves stealth battlefield supremacy and aligns with climate goals.

Even armies worldwide aim to comply with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Military departments test and scrutinize alternative powertrains to the widespread diesel engine-like civil means of transportation.

The new tank concept announced by Hyundai Rotem marks a shift from conventional diesel power to a more eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cell. The green solution isn’t exactly around the corner, as full development is expected to be completed around 2040.

No heat signature

The hydrogen fuel cell tank concept is a modified version of Hyundai Rotem’s K2 battle tank, which will be upgraded to the K3 model. The shift to hydrogen will allow the tank to operate without producing the heat signature typical of diesel engines.

It provides a strategic advantage on the battlefield by making the tank nearly invisible to thermal imaging and heat-seeking weapons. The fuel cell-based propulsion system will also offer quieter operation, a crucial feature for maintaining stealth during military maneuvers.

Hyundai Rotem is also planning to incorporate advanced technologies, including autonomous driving capabilities, remote-controlled drones for surveillance and support, and a 130-millimeter smoothbore gun.

“This next-generation tank will enhance preemptive strike capabilities through an AI-based fire control system,” a Hyundai Rotem representative explained. In line with the project’s goals, the company has designed a stealthy exterior for the K3 model, featuring radar-absorbent paint and minimized protrusions to reduce the chance of detection.

Hydrogen: more practical than batteries?

Though not without its controversies, hydrogen as a fuel source presents some compelling benefits in military applications. Unlike battery-electric solutions, which are challenging to implement in battlefield conditions due to limited charging infrastructure, hydrogen offers an energy-dense alternative that could be more practical for extended deployments.

A hydrogen-powered tank could theoretically refuel from portable hydrogen storage units, enabling sustained operations without needing a fixed power grid—a fundamental limitation for battery-electric options in wartime.

The concept, however, isn’t without its critics. Some argue hydrogen is a less efficient fuel choice due to the complexities of safely refining, storing, and transporting it. These logistical challenges and hydrogen’s volatility make its use in military equipment debatable.

Still, Hyundai Rotem and others see hydrogen’s potential in specialized applications where noise reduction, heat signature minimization, and long-range capabilities are paramount. “If tanks and helicopters move without noise and fumes, the army’s power will become stronger,’ said commander Pak Jae-yeol of South Korea’s 7th Corps in a press release.