Poland invests over $230 million in an armor repair plant

The Bumar-Łabędy armored vehicle factory in Gliwice will receive PLN 850 million ($234 million) for development and modernization to establish the production of modern armored vehicles, including K2PL tanks.

Dziennik Zachodni reported on this.

“As part of the project, we will create a production center for modern armored vehicles, both wheeled and tracked. At the same time, we will maintain the ability to support and ensure the production of Krab self-propelled guns,” Monika Kruczek, CEO of Bumar-Łabędy, noted.

This investment will enable the construction of a new production workshop and its equipping with modern robotic production lines. The existing assembly line will also be modernized, and the factory’s testing ground will be retrofitted.

“The funds provided will allow us to increase production capacity, expand and modernize the existing infrastructure. It is also a way to enter new technologies, in particular the K2 system, which is extremely important for us,” President Kruczek added.

She emphasized that preparatory work is already underway. Currently, Bumar-Łabędy employs over 800 people, with plans to increase this number to 1,400. The plant expansion is scheduled for completion in 2028.

After signing the agreement and submitting the application by the company, the first tranche of PLN 350 million is to be transferred to Bumar’s account in October. Subsequent payments are planned for 2026 and 2027.

Production of K2 tanks in Poland

On August 1, Bumar-Łabędy in Gliwice signed a contract to supply another 180 K2 tanks to the Polish Armed Forces. The contract is worth $6.5 billion.

The contract covers the supply of 180 K2 tanks from 2026 to 2030. Of these, 116 will be delivered in the current K2GF configuration in 2026–2027, and 64 in the K2PL configuration in 2028–2030. Under the contract, 61 K2PL tanks will be manufactured at Zakłady Mechaniczne Bumar-Łabędy, while the first three K2PL tanks and all K2GF tanks will be manufactured in South Korea.

In addition to tanks, the Polish Armed Forces will also receive 81 support vehicles based on the K2 chassis. The contract provides for the purchase of 31 armored repair and evacuation vehicles, 25 engineering vehicles, and 25 bridge layers. Their delivery is scheduled for 2029–2031.

The contract also includes training and logistics packages, as well as the supply of a significant stock of ammunition. The agreement provides for technology transfer. In particular, the creation of production facilities (final assembly) at Polish defense industry enterprises and the acquisition of full capabilities for the maintenance and operation of tanks.

Hyundai Rotem Company (HRC) will equip Bumar-Łabędy with tools and production equipment to create an assembly line for the K2PL tank and related vehicles.

According to the media, the signed contract will not only provide a new order but also enable the restoration of design and manufacturing expertise in the field of modern armored vehicles. The last time the plant in Gliwice produced tanks was in 2009 — these were PT-91s for the Malaysian army.