The South Korean tanks, now considered among the best in the world, are being acquired to replace Warsaw’s aging fleet of Soviet-era T-72 and post-Cold War PT-91 Twardy MBTs.
NATO member Poland is on track to receive a second batch of K2 Black Panther main battle tanks (MBTs), as Warsaw concluded a deal with South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem on Wednesday. The terms of the contract and the total number of tanks that the Polish military will receive were not disclosed by Warsaw. However, the defense contract, confirmed in a regulatory filing, stated that the procurement was valued at $6.5 billion.
It is also believed that the contract will cover 180 tanks, the same number that was purchased in a 2022 agreement. It was the “largest single-system weapons export to date,” according to the Defence Blog. Seoul has remained committed to becoming a major producer and exporter of military hardware, and Poland has become its largest customer. Past arms packages between the two countries have included 212 K9 self-propelled howitzers, 48 FA-50 fighter jets, and as many as 300 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.
The Poland-South Korea Tank Deal Has Run Into Issues
Although Poland had previously praised the vehicle and its past deals with the South Korean firm, the two had been at an impasse over the terms of the contract.
“The government consistently demonstrated its strong commitment to technology transfer and military cooperation, earning Poland’s deep trust through various policy supports such as defence export financing,” the South Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced, per Military Watch Magazine.
In addition, the domestic political crisis that occurred last December, when former President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law, further derailed progress on the deal.
Domestic Production of the K2 in Poland
The Polish Army has yet to receive the final 96 of the initial 180 K2 Black Panthers, and the MBTs are expected to be delivered before the end of the year. The South Korean tanks are now considered among the best in the world and are being acquired to replace Warsaw’s aging fleet of Soviet-era T-72 and post-Cold War PT-91 Twardy MBTs. Poland has pledged to send those vehicles to Ukraine.
As part of the new deal between Warsaw and Hyundai Rotem, a total of 63 tanks from the second batch will be assembled in Poland via the state-run defense firm PGZ. Additionally, the Polish Army will receive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support for the vehicles, along with the aforementioned technology transfer. That will align with the European Union’s “ReArm Europe Plan,” which was announced in March. It calls for increased defense spending and a greater emphasis on “localized defense production and joint procurement within the bloc,” The Defence Blog added.
South Korea’s K2 Black Panther MBT Is a Powerhouse
Initially developed to supplement rather than replace the K1 MBT, which was based on the early designs of the American XM1 program that led to the M1 Abrams, the K2 program resulted in a far superior tank. It was designed to utilize only indigenous technology, and production began in 2014. It is believed to outclass any tanks in service with North Korea or even the Chinese military.
The Black Panther relies on both an undisclosed modular composite armor and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks, and according to reports, can withstand direct hits to the front from a 120mm tank round. In addition, the K2 is equipped with an active protection system, as well as countermeasure systems that include NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection. The MBT’s main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, produced under license in South Korea, and equipped with a domestically designed automatic loader. This loader ensures the loading of projectiles on the move, including when operating on uneven surfaces. The gun is capable of firing the new KSTAM (Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition) rounds—smart target-activated fire-and-forget projectiles.
The K2 Black Panther MBT is operated by a crew of three, including a commander, gunner, and driver. The MBT also features an electric gun and turret driving system (28-260VDC) provided by Doosan Corporation Mottrol. In addition, the gunner’s primary sight (GPS) and commander’s panoramic sight (CPS) are stabilized in two axes, and include a thermal imager and laser rangefinder, enabling day/night observation.
Beyond its heavy-hitting power, the Black Panther is equipped with a unique suspension system that can be contorted into various positions. For cross-country performance, the suspension is raised, providing the K2 with greater ground clearance. On roads, the suspension is lowered, allowing the tank to hug the ground for improved speed. Moreover, the K2 can “lean,” “sit,” or “kneel” to provide the main gun with better maneuverability in hull-down positions. When leaning backward, the K2 can raise its main gun to target low-flying aircraft or more highly elevated targets more effectively.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
