South Korean defense manufacturer Hyundai Rotem has become the first company in the country to receive NATO’s Allied Quality Assurance Publications (AQAP)-2110 certification, with the qualification covering its K2 main battle tank and related armored vehicle variants.
The certification was presented during a ceremony held at Hyundai Rotem’s headquarters in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, attended by officials from South Korea’s Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DATQ).
AQAP-2110 is NATO’s quality management standard for defense procurement and is widely regarded as a key requirement for companies seeking to supply defense products and services to NATO member states.
Hyundai Rotem is the first South Korean company to obtain the certification. It also marks the first AQAP-2110 certificate issued by DATQ since the agency gained official authority to certify companies under NATO’s quality assurance framework.
The certification applies to the K2 main battle tank and its family of specialized armored vehicles, including armored recovery, bridge-laying and mine-clearing variants. Hyundai Rotem said it plans to expand certification to additional products in line with future market demand.
According to the company, the qualification confirms that the K2 platform meets NATO quality requirements and is expected to strengthen its competitiveness in defense tenders, contract negotiations and procurement programs across NATO member countries.
The announcement comes as NATO allies continue increasing defense spending in response to evolving security challenges. Member states collectively account for approximately 55% of global military expenditure, while many allies are working toward the alliance’s 5% of GDP defense spending target, creating new opportunities for defense suppliers.
South Korea is also negotiating a basic procurement agreement with NATO, aimed at improving Korean companies’ access to the alliance’s commonly funded procurement market, estimated at around 15 trillion won (approximately $10 billion) annually.
“We will strengthen our efforts to enter global markets together with our suppliers and contribute to improving the competitiveness of Korea’s defense industry,” a Hyundai Rotem official said.