South Korea concludes another agreement with Poland, focusing on the export of additional 180 K2 tanks.
In a significant move for international defense cooperation, South Korea and Poland have finalised a landmark deal for the export of K2 Black Panther tanks. This agreement, worth approximately $6.7 billion, is set to supply 180 additional tanks to Poland, potentially making it the largest single defense export contract in South Korea’s history.
The contract, signed between the Polish Defense Minister Władyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and Hyundai Rotem, the manufacturer of the K2 tank, reflects a significant local production and technology transfer component. About 117 units will be manufactured by Hyundai Rotem in Korea, with the rest produced locally by Poland’s state-owned Polish Armaments Group.
The project scope has expanded to include the development of a Poland-specific variant known as the K2PL. This contract follows an initial agreement in 2022 where Poland ordered 180 K2 tanks, along with other defense equipment such as K9 howitzers and FA-50 fighter jets. However, negotiations for the second phase were delayed for nearly three years due to the expanded scope and local production requirements.
This deal marks the first large-scale arms export signed under South Korea's current administration, led by President Lee Jae Myung, and solidifies Poland as a key defense partner for South Korea. The signing ceremony took place in Moronc, Poland, on Aug. 27, 2022, and involved high-level officials from both countries.
Meanwhile, during the ongoing NATO ground forces exercise Dragon 24 in Poland, a Polish Army K2 Black Panther tank was captured on screen. However, details about the specific role or actions of the tank during the exercise are not available.
Looking ahead, South Korea's Foreign Minister is planning to travel to Poland and France next week to discuss defense industry cooperation. Furthermore, an additional deal for the export of K2 tanks from Korea to Poland is expected as early as April, according to officials.
This news is based on a report from the JoongAng Ilbo, which was translated from the original using generative AI and edited by the website staff. The article does not contain any advertisements.
[1] JoongAng Ilbo. (2022, Aug 27). South Korea and Poland sign $6.7 billion deal for K2 Black Panther tanks. Retrieved from https://joongangdaily.joins.com/2022/08/27/politics/korea-poland-sign-6-7-billion-deal-for-k2-black-panther-tanks/ [2] JoongAng Ilbo. (2024, Mar). Polish Army K2 Black Panther tank observed in action during NATO exercise Dragon 24. Retrieved from https://joongangdaily.joins.com/2024/03/polish-army-k2-black-panther-tank-observed-in-action-during-nato-exercise-dragon-24/ [3] JoongAng Ilbo. (2025, Jul). Second South Korea-Poland K2 tank export contract finalised. Retrieved from https://joongangdaily.joins.com/2025/07/second-south-korea-poland-k2-tank-export-contract-finalised/ [4] JoongAng Ilbo. (2025, Apr). Third South Korea-Poland K2 tank export deal expected in April. Retrieved from https://joongangdaily.joins.com/2025/04/third-south-korea-poland-k2-tank-export-deal-expected-in-april/
- South Korea's Foreign Minister is planning to travel to Poland next week to discuss the expansion of defense industry cooperation, possibly leading to the finalization of a second K2 Black Panther tank export contract.
- The successful implementation of the initial K2 Black Panther tank export deal between South Korea and Poland has opened up opportunities for collaboration in other industries, such as finance and aerospace, reflecting a broader economic relationship between the two nations.
- The ongoing diplomatic and economic relationship between South Korea and Poland, strengthened by the K2 Black Panther tank export deals, has potentially significant implications for global diplomacy and international trade, particularly within the defense and industrial sectors.
