According to reports from South Korean media, Hyundai Rotem intends to make Poland the European production hub for the K2 ‘Black Panther’ tank, thus strengthening industrial cooperation between Warsaw and Seoul and paving the way for future exports to the continent and beyond.
The initiative takes shape following the second executive contract signed with Poland, worth $6.5 billion, which includes not only the supply of 180 K2 tanks, with the first 64 in the K2PL configuration, but also the technology transfer and the start of a local assembly line. The first three units will be produced in South Korea, with subsequent assemblies taking place in Poland at the Bumar factories, which are operated by the industrial group PGZ (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa).
The aim of the project is to replace the old T-72 tanks which Warsaw transferred to Ukraine between 2022 and 2023, supporting Kyiv’s military cause against Russia. By 2030, Poland aims to have 1,100 tanks, surpassing the armored fleets of Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
K2PL
The Polish version of the K2 will be equipped with additional systems compared to the South Korean standard. Among the planned modifications are active protection systems against anti-tank missiles, anti-drone technologies, and an interior layout adapted to the needs of the Polish tankers.
Export Possibilities
Hyundai Rotem emphasizes that the agreement will allow Poland to consolidate autonomous production capabilities and ensure the operational continuity of the Armed Forces. Moreover, Warsaw could become an export platform for other European countries interested in the K2, exploiting logistical proximity and increasing NATO cooperation.
In South Korea, the K2 supply chain already involves over 700 companies, with a national production rate of 90%. The extension of this chain to Poland marks a decisive step towards the European localization of the program, with significant impacts for the Polish arms industry and for the integration of European capabilities in terms of deterrence.
