Poland to Bolster Defenses With Purchase of South Korean Armaments

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Poland will sign a contract with South Korea to acquire tanks, howitzers, and fighter jets as Warsaw seeks to bolster its military defenses amid the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, said Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak in a July 22 interview with Polish news magazine Sieci.

Poland is finalizing negotiations with South Korea to buy 48 FA-50 light combat fighter jets, 180 K-2 tanks, and 670 K-9 self-propelled artillery from Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and Hanwha Defense, respectively, Defense News reported.

If the contract goes through, it will be the South Korean companies’ first military sales in Europe.

“With this contract, we will significantly increase Poland’s security and the strength of the Polish Army,” Blaszczak said in a tweet. “Fast delivery and industry development are key! We reconciled the often divergent interests of soldiers and the arms industry. It’s a win-win situation for both groups. We’re signing contracts next week!”

The arms deal followed Blaszczak’s agreement with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup in May 2022 to strengthen cooperation in armaments and research.

Blaszczak also met with representatives of the South Korean defense industry and the president of Hanwha Defense during his visit to South Korea in May.

“Why is it important? Because of the war on our eastern border. It is important for the Polish armed forces to be equipped with modern equipment, proven equipment, and such is the equipment produced by Korea,” Blaszczak said in a statement.

Blaszczak urged South Korea to accelerate the supply of self-propelled AHS Krab howitzers and infantry fighting vehicles, citing Poland’s limited production capabilities.

“My task as the minister of national defense is to equip the Polish army with this weapon as soon as possible. So, in self-propelled howitzers Krab and infantry fighting vehicles,” he said.

Poland has also agreed to purchase 116 used Abrams tanks from the United States, in addition to the 250 Abrams tanks purchased in April. Blaszczak did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

Poland has vowed to raise its defense spending to 3 percent of gross domestic product and to more than double the size of its army to deter any possible attack after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters contributed to this report.