Poland Explains How the Country Will Buy K2 Tanks

The Sejm of the Republic of Poland has explained how the planned procurement of K2PL tanks and their further localization will take place.

This is reported by the Polish publication Defence24.

As explained in the parliament, the Ministry of National Defence is not taking any measures to reduce the volume of tanks ordered under the framework agreement concluded on July 27, 2022 between the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and Hyundai Rotem.

In general, the agreement provided for the purchase of military equipment in stages – under six sales agreements. Currently, in accordance with the provisions of the framework agreement, another batch of 180 tanks is being purchased under the second sales agreement.

This means that under the framework agreement, tanks are to be purchased under six implementation contracts. Estimates show that each contract should provide for the delivery of approximately 180 vehicles to achieve the goal of the framework agreement to purchase a total of 1,000 K2/K2PL tanks.

According to the second agreement, in addition to the actual purchase of tanks and auxiliary equipment, the Polish company Zakłady Mechaniczne ‘Bumar-Łabędy’ plans to create facilities for the final assembly of the K2PL tank and perform a full range of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for K2GF and K2PL tanks.

The agreement also provides for the possibility of technology transfer between Hyundai Rotem and Polish defense companies in the production of the hull, turret and chassis, hydropneumatic suspension, main armament (gun system) and charging system.

As the publication explains, this means that procurement plans will continue to be implemented regardless of the change of government. This approach is necessary due to the need for the stable implementation of the technical modernization program of the Polish Armed Forces and the purchase of the necessary military equipment.

K2 tanks in Poland

The K2 Black Panther main battle tank weighs about 55 tons and has a crew of three. The tank is armed with a 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun. The first round of ammunition (7 rounds) is placed in a belt conveyor type loading mechanism that provides a rate of fire of 20 rounds per minute.

The tank is equipped with a 1500 hp diesel engine, which allows it to reach speeds of up to 70 km/h on the highway and move confidently over rough terrain. The range is about 450 km. The K2PL modification, created specifically for Poland, will include additional protection and support systems in accordance with the specifications of the Polish army.

The framework agreement, signed in July 2022, provides for the purchase of 648 K9 Thunder and 980 K2 tanks. The tank agreement provides for the supply of the first 180 K2 tanks to the Polish Armed Forces in 2022-2025. The value of the first contract was $3.4 billion.

In August 2025, Poland signed a second executive contract for the supply of another 180 South Korean K2 tanks. Of these, 64 vehicles will be produced in the K2PL modification. The package of auxiliary vehicles based on K2 will include 25 engineering vehicles, 25 armored vehicle-launched bridges and 31 armored evacuation vehicles. The total value of the second contract is $6.7 billion.