Poland to produce South Korean K2 tanks, says defence minister
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland's defence minister, has announced that Poland will produce K2 tanks using South Korean equipment.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Poland aspires to be a service centre for South Korean equipment both purchased for Poland's needs and those of other European countries, such as Romania. He also mentioned that K2 tanks would be produced in Poland and that the South Korean side pledges to transfer the technology as soon as possible.
According to the Polish minister, his South Korean counterpart agreed on Thursday to "a timetable for action, for the implementation of joint contracts related to purchases for the Polish army - these are primarily K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 aircraft and Chunmoo rocket launchers."
Kosiniak-Kamysz also communicated that the Polish delegation had extended an offer to the South Korean delegation to encourage their country to acquire Polish equipment. "I am glad that the offer was positively accepted at the preliminary stage... We purchase a lot in South Korea, we would like South Korea to buy in Poland as well," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
A delegation headed by South Korea's defence minister Shin Won-sik arrived in Poland on Thursday and took part in the 'Poland-South Korea Strategic Dialogue' organised in Warsaw on Friday.
Poland has ordered modern military equipment from South Korea, including Chunmoo rocket artillery units, K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 combat trainer aircraft, in reaction to increased threats from Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine. (PAP)
em/jch