A shipment reached the port of Gdynia on a Wednesday, delivering five Korean K2 tanks and twelve K9 howitzers to Poland, a move announced in Warsaw by Mariusz Błaszczak, deputy prime minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense.
Weapons from South Korea already in Poland
The arrival at Gdynia marks another step in expanding Poland’s armored and artillery capability with equipment sourced from South Korea. This addition aligns with the existing agreements reached last year and reflects a broader effort to modernize and strengthen the country’s defense posture.
In a social media post, the head of the Ministry of National Defense noted that five K2 tanks and twelve K9 howitzers arrived at Gdynia on Wednesday. He recalled that the first shipment of Korean equipment reached Poland in December of the preceding year.
The tanks and gun-howitzers are slated for the 16th Mechanized Division, based in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship.
Both artillery pieces and tanks are destined for the eastern sectors of the country, areas responsible for safeguarding Poland’s eastern borders. The Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, a province bordering Russia, will host these assets as part of the force posture in the region.
The defense chief underscored that the allocation to the eastern region is intentional, supporting a deterrence strategy.
He stressed that this effort is about building a capable and ready force that contributes to deterrence and defense, in line with the NATO alliance principles. He also highlighted the ongoing presence of American troops in Poland as part of the broader security framework.
Agreement with Seoul
Last July, Poland’s Ministry of National Defense entered into a framework agreement to acquire 672 155mm K9A1 tracked howitzers produced by Hanwha Aerospace, including a domestically adapted K9PL variant, along with vehicles, training, logistics, ammunition, and technical support. The framework also envisions the purchase of 1,000 K2 tanks manufactured by Hyundai Rotem.
An executive contract for 212 howitzers, valued at about $2.4 billion, covered deliveries through 2022–2026. For the K2 tanks, an executive contract specified the purchase of 180 units for roughly $5.8 billion, with the framework agreement outlining further license-produced tanks in Poland to reach 820 in total. The initial delivery included 10 tanks and 24 howitzers, received in December of the previous year and officially acknowledged by the Polish president and defense minister.
The defense ministry justified the South Korean procurement by noting the approaching delivery deadlines to bridge the gap left by equipment transferred to Ukraine, as well as concerns about reliability and service efficiency.
READ ALSO:
— K2 tanks are maintained, repaired and produced in Poznań. Head of the Ministry of National Defense: This is good news for the industry
– Korean tanks in Braniewo, Morąg and Ostróda. Head of the Ministry of National Defense: This is our priority to strengthen the eastern part of our country
— Poland strengthens its armed forces, and the world sees it. Portuguese and Spanish media: Warsaw becomes a European leader
wkt/PAP
Source: wPolityce