First batch of South Korean K2 tanks and K9 howitzers arrive in Poland

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News December 7, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Poland received the first batch of tanks and howitzers from South Korea. Ten K2 tanks and 24 K9 howitzers arrived at Poland’s Gdynia port on December 6, 2022.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda and defense minister Mariusz Blaszczak arrived at the port to receive the military equipment.

Poland signed a $5.8 billion agreement with South Korea in July this year to buy 189 K2 tanks and 212 K9 self-propelled howitzers. This was the biggest weapons deal for South Korea. Warsaw also plans to buy 48 Korean-made FA-50 light combat aircraft 288 K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery launchers from South Korea.

“We want peace, so we are preparing for war,” Blaszczak said as he welcomed the first batch of ten tanks and howitzers. Blaszczak stressed that “We are strengthening by equipping the army with modern, state-of-the-art weapons. This gives the Polish army the tools to effectively deter the aggressor.”

The first few batches of K2 tanks are being manufactured in South Korea, with subsequent units to be produced in Poland. Blaszczak said that talks are underway between the Polish Armament Group (PGZ) and Korean companies on the production and later servicing of this equipment.

In the long run under its agreement with South Korea, Poland aims to eventually have 1,000 K2 tanks and 672 K9 howitzers, including specialized variants of K2 tanks produced in Poland. In total, Poland’s arms purchases from South Korea this year have reached $12.3 billion.

*^{Poland receives the first batch of K2 Tanks from South Korea. (Image Credit: Twitter/@Poland_MOD)}*

“We know very well that today, when there is a war going on, when Russia is trying to rebuild its empire, it is a well-equipped army that is the best argument to deter the aggressor,” Blaszczak said during his speech at the port. “This is an important day for the history of the Polish army,” he added.

Polish President Duda was also present at the port. He thanked South Korea for the rapid arrival of the first shipment. “No one needs to have it explained how important the tempo of delivery of equipment is in the current situation,” he said. “Only the heroism of a soldier equipped with modern weapons is able to stop Russian imperial ambitions and Russian brutality.”

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February this year, Poland has significantly increased its defense budget. Poland is currently spending at least 3% of its GDP on defense, one of the highest in the NATO alliance.

The newly arrived tanks and howitzers will be transferred to the country’s border with Russia on the northeastern side. Poland has also sent its troops to South Korea where they are receiving training for operating tanks and howitzers.