The Polish Ministry of National Defense has signed a new contract worth €5.7 billion with its South Korean counterpart and Hyundai Rotem for the supply of 180 tanks and 81 support vehicles from the K2 family.
The tanks will be delivered by Hyundai Rotem in two versions, 116 K2GF identical to the first 180 delivered under the first implementation agreement of August 2022, and another 64 fitted in the improved K2PL version of which 61 units will be manufactured in Poland at Zakłady Mechaniczne “Bumar-Łabędy” SA, thanks to technology transfer.
The deliveries of the 116 K2GF are expected for 2026-2027 or even anticipated by the end of 2025, while the deliveries of the K2PL vehicles are set for 2028-2030.
The K2PL tanks will be equipped with additional protections, including an Active Vehicle Protection System, an anti-drone system, and additional armor.
The 81 support vehicles, not foreseen in the first implementation contract of the framework agreement for 1,000 K2 tanks, will be delivered in 31 units fitted in a rescue and recovery version, 25 engineering vehicles, and another 25 bridge laying vehicles.
These special variants will be delivered to the Polish Army between 2029 and 2031.
The new contract includes the supply by South Korea of a large amount of ammunition, a training package also with ETS onboard simulators, and a logistics package including spare parts and technical documentation.
Maintenance and technical support for the new tanks and special versions of the K2 will always be provided by the Polish industry.
Source and image credit @ Ministry of National Defense Poland
