Polish Defense Minister: K2 Tank Deal Awaiting New Korean Defense Minister
Poland’s defense minister says that negotiations and a final formal signing for the second batch of K2PL main battle tanks for the Polish Army have been completed, with the contract expected to be officially signed once the newly formed South Korean government swears in its defense minister.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on July 2 that while an executive contract had been agreed on, he wanted an in person signing with the defense minister “out of respect” for his Korean counterparts.
The incoming South Korean government of President Lee Jae-myeung has nominated Ahn Gyu-back for defense minister, the first nominee for the position since 1961 to not have been a general in the South Korean military. While Ahn faces a legislative hearing before confirmation, his confirmation does not require lawmaker approval.
Kosiniak-Kamysz detailed the upcoming contract at a press conference, saying that the $6.7 billion package included 180 K2PLs, 80 support vehicles, as well as logistics and crew training. According to Polish deputy defense minister Paweł Bejda, the first 30 K2s in the order will be delivered during 2026 if the contract is signed on schedule.
60 of the K2PLs will be built in Poland by Bumar-Labedy SA, which has previously built PT-91 tanks and conducted Leopard 2PL upgrades. Kosiniak-Kamysz said the K2PL procurement had finally progressed to the start of “Polonization” of the tanks through incorporation of components made in Poland, claiming that Slovakia had expressed interest in purchasing K2PLs built in Poland.
Lee Yong-bae, president of K2 manufacturer Hyundai Rotem, said the deal marked the start of a “historic partnership” to co-produce the K2, hoping that it would serve as a “solid foundation” for strengthening Poland’s military industry and security.
Also present at the press conference was a scale model of a K2PL with planned future upgrades, with the most noticeable external change being the integration of the Trophy hard-kill active protection system.