Hyundai Rotem announced on the 1st that it has signed a 2nd implementation contract worth $6.5 billion (approximately 9.12 trillion won) for K2 tanks with the Polish Armaments Agency.
The contract signing ceremony was held in Gliwice, Poland, that day. Minister of National Defense An Gyu-baek, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Poland Mariusz Błaszczak, Director of the Polish Armaments Agency Artur Kuciński, and CEO of Hyundai Rotem Lee Yong-bae attended.
This contract is a follow-up to the first implementation contract, which prioritized the supply of 180 K2 tanks urgently needed, with the core focus on promoting local transfer and production.
Through this contract, Hyundai Rotem will supply an additional 116 units of the K2 tank (K2GF MBT) to Poland and 64 units of the Polish variant of the K2 tank (K2Pl MBT), which will be mass-produced for the first time, along with 81 K2-series (recovery, engineering, bridge) tanks.
In addition, it will also provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the Polish military, training, and other ammunition and repair parts.
The Polish variant of the K2 tank and its series will be produced locally, managed by the defense company Bumar under the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ). The Polish variant of the K2 tank is an advanced weapon system that has been updated to actively reflect local requirements.
It is equipped with active protection systems capable of responding to enemy anti-tank guided missiles and drone threats, as well as drone jammers to prevent drone maneuvers. Additionally, remote firing control systems have been applied, and special armor increases the protection capabilities.
The first batch of Polish K2 tanks is scheduled to be delivered by the end of this year, after which mass production of the second contract batch will begin. Hyundai Rotem plans to actively promote the broad transfer of MRO technology not only to the Polish military but also to local defense companies to support the smooth operation of the tanks in the area.
Hyundai Rotem explained that the unwavering export diplomacy leadership of our government, which has steadily built trust between the two countries, had a decisive impact on the success of the contract.
It noted that the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, The Export-Import Bank of Korea, and Korea Trade Insurance Corporation provided timely policy financing to help advance the export negotiations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also played a bridging role to enable cooperation between the two countries in various areas.
The Ministry of National Defense, Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and Army also supported the rapid and reliable delivery of K2 tanks to Poland while highlighting the excellent production capabilities and technologies of K-defense, Hyundai Rotem explained.
With this contract, Hyundai Rotem expects to establish a partnership for joint development of ground weapons systems with Poland as it begins mass production of tanks for the first time in Poland.
A Hyundai Rotem official said, "Through closer and wider partnerships with local defense companies, we will do our best to ensure that Poland becomes a production hub for the K2 tank in Europe," adding, "I hope that tanks from Korea, recognized globally, will serve as a key force in safeguarding Poland's security and peace, and lead the development of the local defense industry."