South Korea Signs $6.5 Billion K2 Tank Deal with Poland
South Korea has signed a record-breaking arms export agreement with Poland for a second tranche of 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks valued at approximately $6 billion on July 2, 2025. Hyundai Rotem will build 117 of the tanks in South Korea while Poland’s state-owned defense group (PGZ) will produce the remaining 63 units locally. The signing ceremony is expected in late June. The new deal builds on a 2022 contract worth $13.7 billion (Seoul’s biggest arms sale ever), which included K2 tanks, rocket launchers and fighter jets to Poland.
South Korean Army)
The upcoming contract delivers 180 K2 tanks in two variants to meet Polish needs. One version is called the K2GF (“Gap Filler”) which is essentially the base K2 model modified with NATO-standard communications for quick integration into NATO forces. The other is the advanced K2PL model customized for Poland. The K2PL adds reinforced modular armor and a 1,500-horsepower engine with upgraded transmission as well as an active protection system to intercept incoming anti-tank missiles. The K2 Black Panther(built by Hyundai Rotem) is one of the world’s most advanced main battle tanks. It has a powerful 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun with a 40-round autoloader. Its 1,500 hp diesel engine and hydropneumatic suspension allow it to reach about 70 km/h on roads and to “kneel” or lean for better firing angles. The K2’s onboard sensors and networking systems improve battlefield awareness with radar warning of incoming threats and a remote-operated weapon station on the turret.
Poland’s acquisition of the K2 is part of a broader effort to modernize its military following the 2022 war in Ukraine. As part of Warsaw’s accelerated procurement program, the 2024 batch of 180 K2s was part of a plan to acquire up to 1,000 tanks, along with K9 howitzers and FA-50 fighter jets. Defense spending has surged to above 4 percent of GDP as Poland aims to establish Europe’s most powerful land forces. The new tank deal strengthens ties between Poland and South Korea and will enhance NATO’s eastern flank.