Poland Signs $6.5B Deal for 180 South Korean K2 Tanks, Domestic Production

Poland has signed a $6.5 billion contract with South Korean defense company Hyundai Rotem for the supply of 180 K2 battle tanks, marking its second major deal following a 2022 agreement for the same number of tanks. The new contract emphasizes domestic production and technology transfer, with 61 tanks to be manufactured at the Bumar-Łabędy plant in Gliwice, Poland, starting in 2028, to boost the country's defense industry and military capabilities. Deliveries of 116 tanks in the K2GF variant will be completed by 2027 with the remaining 64 K2PL variant tanks, featuring upgraded armor and active protection systems, to be produced domestically by 2030. The deal also includes 81 support vehicles, as well as training, maintenance, and repair services to ensure operational sustainability. This expansion will significantly strengthen Poland's armed forces, enabling it to operate approximately 1,100 tanks, surpassing the combined tank fleets of Germany, France, the UK, and Italy. The move reflects Poland's commitment to modernizing its military amid regional security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its increased defense spending.