Poland to Begin Production of K2 Tanks Following Agreement with South Korea.

On June 20, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that Poland will soon begin production of K2 tanks, following successful negotiations with South Korea. This development is seen as an achievement for the Polish Armaments Group, which is expediting efforts to commence production. Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed plans to sign an executive contract for 180 K2 tanks during the upcoming defense industry exposition in Kielce, to start production with the current tranche.
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The K2 is a South Korean Main Battle Tank.  (Picture source: US DoD)

The meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz and South Korea's Minister of Defense, Shin Won-sik, took place at the Representative Center of the Ministry of National Defense in Pruszków. Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted the strategic importance of this cooperation, noting that South Korea has already delivered various military equipment to Poland, including FA-50 aircraft, Chunmoo launchers, K9 howitzers, and K2 tanks. The recent contract signed by Minister Paweł Bejda in South Korea for additional Chunmoo launchers under the HOMAR-K program underscores the deepening defense ties between the two nations.

The Polish government is committed to ensuring that 50% of production and purchases for the Polish Armed Forces occur within Poland, a key election promise. This goal necessitates investments and partnerships, as emphasized by the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

The discussions also covered broader military cooperation, focusing on defense and armaments. The ministers co-chaired a meeting of the joint ministerial committee, where they addressed Korean Peninsula stabilization activities and the future development of military relations between Poland and South Korea.

Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed optimism about the swift preparation and adaptation of the production line to the Polish environment. He acknowledged existing delays but stressed the determination to overcome them. The Deputy Prime Minister praised the Republic of Korea's commitment to resolving any issues and ensuring timely information sharing.

The K2 tank, used by South Korea and soon by Poland, is a powerful and sophisticated combat vehicle. Designed in South Korea, it weighs 55,000 kg and can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h. This tank is equipped with impressive armament, including a 120 mm gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.

In terms of protection, the K2 is equipped with composite armor and explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks, providing enhanced resistance against various types of threats. To ensure crew survival and tank efficiency on the battlefield, it integrates an advanced fire-control system, an active protection system, an NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system, as well as day/night vision and thermal vision capabilities. It also features an automatic fire suppression system and a snorkel for amphibious operations.

The K2 is designed to operate efficiently with a crew of three. Its dimensions are impressive: it measures 10.7 meters in length, 3.6 meters in width, and 2.4 meters in height. With a range of 450 km, it is capable of conducting prolonged operations without frequent refueling. In summary, the K2 tank combines firepower, advanced protection, and mobility to meet the demands of modern battlefields.

Deputy Minister Paweł Bejda noted that the discussions also covered the financing of military equipment purchased from South Korea and the presentation of the Polish armament industry's offerings, which may be of interest to the Korean side.