Poland expands its arsenal with South Korea’s advanced K2 tanks, eyes local production, and strengthens military ties with Seoul amid rising Eastern European defense demands and modernization goals.
The latest batch of South Korean K2 Black Panther main battle tanks (MBTs) arrived at the Polish port of Swinoujscie earlier this month, bringing the total number delivered to the NATO member to 133. The MBTs are part of a $5.8 billion deal signed between Warsaw and Seoul in 2022, under which 180 K2s will be delivered by the end of 2025. The agreement also covered training, tank maintenance support, and ordnance.
The first batch arrived in Poland in December 2022, with subsequent batches sent throughout 2023 and 2024.
The newly delivered tanks are now in service with the Polish Army’s 15th Gizycko Mechanized Brigade, the third unit of the Polish Armed Forces to be equipped with the South Korean-made MBTs. The 15th Brigade previously operated the Soviet-era 122mm 2S1 Gozdzik self-propelled howitzer and is now transitioning to the South Korean 155mm K9A1 Thunder platform.
Poland Wants Even More K2 Black Panther MBTs
Even as Poland is set to receive the final batch of the initial order of K2 Black Panthers by the end of this year, Warsaw may sign a follow-up contract worth $6.3 billion for a second export deal. It will pave the way for the local production of the South Korean MBT in Poland, including the transfer of technology and additional tanks.
Though the tanks have arrived mainly on schedule, this second contract was delayed; the original plans called for it to be finalized by the end of 2024. However, due to ongoing negotiations and the subsequent political tensions in South Korea, the deal has yet to be finalized.
Newly elected President Lee Jae-myung has pushed for South Korea’s defense industry to accelerate the negotiations. A source within the industry told The Korean Herald that the current discussions are on the number of K2PL models that will be produced, and issues related to “the procurement of tank components, cost management, maintenance and repair procedures to the scope of technology transfer.”
Lee campaigned to continue South Korea’s path toward becoming a major arms producer, aiming to become the fourth global supplier after the US, France, and Russia.
In addition to the K2 MBTs, considered among the best in the world today, South Korea has provided the Eastern European NATO member with 219 K9 self-propelled howitzers, forty-eight KAI FA-50 light attack aircraft, and 218 K239 Chunmoo mobile multiple-launch Rocket Systems (MLRS).
Is the K2 Black Panther the “Best” MBT?
The next-generation K2 Black Panther was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by Hyundai Rotem. It was initially intended to complement, rather than replace, the K1 series currently in use by the South Korean military. However, the K2 has proven to exceed the capabilities of the K1 so significantly that Seoul has ramped up production.
It is now widely regarded as one of the world’s most advanced main battle tanks (MBTs), surpassing any tanks in service with North Korea or China.
Unveiled in 2007, the Black Panther was developed utilizing indigenous South Korean technology, and production commenced for the first 100 K2 tanks in 2014. The K2 relies on an undisclosed modular composite armor and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks.
According to reports, it can withstand direct hits to the front from a 120mm tank round. In addition, the K2 is also equipped with an active protection system and countermeasure systems that include NBC (nuclear, biological, or chemical) protection.
The K2’s main armament consists of the German-designed Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, produced under license in South Korea. It is equipped with a domestically designed automatic loader that ensures the loading of projectiles on the move, including when on uneven surfaces. The 120mm gun can fire approximately 10 to 15 rounds per minute.
The weapon can fire various munitions and is compatible with all standard NATO tank rounds. The 120mm L/55 gun can also fire the new KSTAM (Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition) rounds – smart target-activated fire-and-forget projectiles.
The tank represents a significant advancement over the Cold War-era platforms previously operated by the Polish Armed Forces.
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].
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