South Korea’s Hanwha Defense and Hyundai Rotem have been awarded contracts for the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) and the K2 Panther main battle tank (MBT).
The contracts were announced by Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaščak in late July. It is understood that important technology transfers as well as technical support and training are also considered as part of the deal, with the ultimate goal of localizing production in Poland.
“Our armed forces get modern weapons and industry gets the opportunity to develop further,” Błaszczak said in a social media post. “Deliveries will start as early as 2022 and will allow for the creation of a strong army of at least 300,000 people.”
It is understood that Poland has committed to procure up to 1,000 K2 MBTs, with the first 180 tanks – made by South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem – scheduled for delivery between the end of 2022 and 2025. It is expected that subsequent batches of tanks will be tailored to the specific requirements of the Polish Army under the K2PL designation and produced locally in Poland, with deliveries starting in 2026. The first 180 Korean-built K2 MBTs will also be upgraded to K2PL standard.
Meanwhile, Hanwha Defence will deliver the first 48 K9A1 SPHs between 2022 and 2023, with the bespoke K9PL variant set to enter production first in South Korea in 2024, before shifting production to Poland from 2026. Poland will also receive K10 armored supply vehicles and vehicles from the K11 command Hanwha Defense.
The K9PL will be derived from the latest K9A2 SPH developed by Hanwha Defense, featuring an automatic reloading system that increases its rate of fire to 9-10 rounds per minute, compared to the baseline K9A1’s 6-8 rounds per minute. The crew has also been reduced from five to three.
The first batch of 48 Korean-built K9A1s will also be upgraded to the K9PL standard, and both will be equipped with Polish communications systems and the WB Group’s Topaz Integrated Battle Management System.
In the long term, Poland and South Korea plan to jointly develop next-generation MBT and SPH.
Apart from Poland, South Korea is also actively promoting its K2 MBT to other European countries. It is currently a finalist in Norway’s next-generation tank program, alongside Germany’s Leopard 2A7.
by Jr Ng
