Korea has successfully developed active protection systems for its tanks and armored vehicles, an indigenous technology that would drastically increase their survivability, officials said Tuesday.

The new system to be installed in the K2 tank can automatically detect and destroy incoming anti-tank missiles or rockets before the threats hit the tank, an official of the Agency for Defense Development said on condition of anonymity, citing policy.

The state-run agency said it has developed the new defense system after five years of research.

The agency official said it was not immediately clear when the new system will be deployed.

Korean defense officials expect they will be able to apply active protection systems for vessels or helicopters as well as major state facilities in the future, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said in a statement.

Last year, the weapons procurement agency decided to postpone a deployment of K2, a new main battle tank under development, by up to one year to 2013 because of mechanical problems involving its engine and transmission. (Yonhap)