Poland to produce South Korean tanks, defence minister confirms
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has confirmed that some of the K2 battle tanks that his country ordered from South Korea will be manufactured, serviced and maintained in Poland.
Poland’s Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz (right) and his South Korean counterpart Shin Won-sik (left) meet in Warsaw on Friday.Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Friday that production of K2 tanks would commence domestically, with South Korea agreeing to facilitate a rapid technology transfer for this purpose.
„Yes, it has been decided,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters.
A K2 tank. Photo: Wojsko Polskie/WP/st. kpr. Piotr SZAFARSKI
Plans include establishing a service center within Poland where South Korean equipment purchased for Poland’s needs and those of other European countries, such as Romania, will be repaired.
During the „Poland-South Korea Strategic Dialogue” conference held in Warsaw on Friday, Kosiniak-Kamysz met with his South Korean counterpart Shin Won-sik.
The politicians agreed on a schedule for joint contracts on the procurement of K2 tanks, K9 howitzers, FA-50 aircraft, and Chunmoo rocket launchers for the Polish army.
Poland also presented South Korea with an offer to purchase Polish military equipment, which Kosiniak-Kamysz said was preliminarily accepted.
„We buy a lot from South Korea, and we would like South Korea to buy from Poland as well,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
Under the 2022 Polish-South Korean framework agreement, the Polish armed forces expect to receive 1,000 K2 main battle tanks in a customized version, K2PL.
Additionally, as part of the team-up, Poland aims to benefit from South Korea’s experience in border protection, according to officials.
(mp/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, polskieradio24.pl
