Poland Secures Purchase Agreement for Additional South Korean Battle Tanks
Poland Strikes Second Major Deal with Hyundai Rotem for K2 Black Panther Battle Tanks
Poland has signed a second significant deal with South Korean industrial and defense group Hyundai Rotem, worth an estimated $6.5 billion, for the supply of 180 K2 Black Panther battle tanks and 81 support vehicles. The deal, which includes a joint production agreement between Hyundai Rotem and the Polish state-owned defense firm PGZ, was officially signed on August 1, 2025, in Gliwice, Poland.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hyundai Rotem will manufacture 117 tanks in South Korea, while PGZ will produce the remaining 63 tanks domestically. The production timeline anticipates Poland starting licensed production of the K2PL variant (a Polish-customized version of the K2) in 2026, with manufacturing efforts divided between Poland and South Korea.
This second batch deal follows an earlier contract signed in 2022 for 180 tanks worth $3.3 billion, primarily assembled in South Korea, with many tanks already delivered by mid-2025. The current contract represents Poland’s strategic effort to upgrade its armored forces amid security concerns in Eastern Europe.
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that the aim is to send a clear signal that arms plants are being built throughout Poland. With borders with Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, the second batch of tanks grants Hyundai Rotem a more permanent foothold in Europe.
Hyundai Rotem has already reallocated full production capacity since July 2025 to meet Poland’s orders, increasing monthly output accordingly. The first deliveries of tanks to Poland are planned for the next year.
As part of the agreement, the delivery includes support vehicles and a training, service, and repair package. Poland has allocated 4.7% of its gross domestic product to boosting its armed forces in 2025, with a pledge to increase to 5% in 2026.
The new agreement involves a large element of manufacture in Poland as it looks to expand its domestic defense industry. The Polish Ministry of Defence has announced that 61 tanks from the latest order will be produced at a plant in Gliwice, owned by Bumar-Labedny, a company that produces heavy equipment, including for the military.
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz also stated that the arms industry is the driving force of the Polish economy. Technology transfer applies to everyone in the arms industry, according to the Polish Defense Minister.
This deal comes as Poland and its NATO allies look to beef up their defenses following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The tanks will play a crucial role in strengthening Poland's military capabilities as it continues to invest in its armed forces.
Technology transfer in the arms industry, as outlined in the agreement, applies to everyone involved, including Hyundai Rotem and their Polish counterparts. A notable aspect of the deal is the large-scale manufacturing of the K2 Black Panther battle tanks, with 61 tanks set to be produced domestically in Poland, particularly at a plant in Gliwice owned by Bumar-Labedny. Concurrently, Poland's expanding sports industry could benefit from advancements in technology, such as those used in the production of military equipment, as both sectors aim to strengthen Poland's capacities.
