Poland secures second agreement for purchase of additional 180 K2 tanks from South Korea.
South Korea and Poland have recently sealed a significant defense export deal, marking the largest single defense export in South Korean history. The second contract for 180 K2 Black Panther tanks, valued at approximately $6.5 to $6.7 billion, was signed on July 2, 2025, in Poland.
The ceremony was attended by officials from both nations, with Polish Defense Minister Władyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and Hyundai Rotem, the tank manufacturer, in attendance. This contract includes a substantial technology transfer and local production in Poland, with Hyundai Rotem manufacturing 117 units in Korea and 63 units to be produced by Poland's state-owned Polish Armaments Group (PGZ).
The first export contract for K2 Black Panther tanks between the two countries was signed in 2022, but details about the defense cooperation were not disclosed at the time. South Korea is now expected to sign an additional deal to export K2 tanks to Poland as early as April.
The K2 Black Panther tank, a product of South Korea's defense industry, was showcased in action during the NATO ground forces exercise named Dragon 24, held in Poland in March 2024. A Polish Army K2 Black Panther tank was also seen in action during the same exercise.
In August 2022, a signing ceremony on defense between South Korea and Poland took place in Moronc, Poland. The event was covered by YONHAP, a South Korean news agency.
South Korea's defense minister is also expected to attend the Zapad 2023 military exercise in Russia, according to reports, while unconfirmed reports suggest that the K2 Black Panther tank will participate in the same exercise. The Zapad 2023 military exercise is scheduled to take place in September 2023.
Furthermore, the foreign minister of South Korea is scheduled to travel to Poland and France next week to discuss defense industry cooperation. The exact details of these discussions remain unknown at this time.
- The large-scale defense export deal between South Korea and Poland has also caught the attention of the aerospace industry, as both nations contemplate potential collaborations in this sector.
- Concurrently in the realm of finance, Polish banks are considering funding opportunities for the local production of K2 Black Panther tanks, given the significant economic potential this partnership presents.
- The successful diplomacy and defense export agreements between South Korea and Poland have further strengthened the economic ties between these two nations, potentially opening new avenues for collaboration in various industries, including finance and aerospace.
