We will produce our own tanks. “Polish technical thought”

On Tuesday, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and South Korean company Hyundai Rotem signed a new consortium agreement that paves the way for a contract for the production of 180 K2PL tanks and accompanying vehicles. This cooperation is a significant step in the development of the Polish defense industry, which has a chance to participate in the production of modern military equipment.

Polish technical thought in K2PL tanks

Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda emphasised that the K2PL tank will be equipped with Polish technology. “There are many elements that the Polish side will implement, the Korean side has agreed to some elements, negotiations are ongoing” – Bejda noted, adding that the details regarding the “Polonization” of tanks are still being discussed.

Under the new agreement, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa will coordinate the production of tanks and accompanying vehicles, such as command, ammunition and repair vehicles, which are also to be manufactured in Poland. Bejda criticized the previous leadership of the Ministry of Defense for not taking into account accompanying vehicles when purchasing tanks, which is now to be rectified. “It’s about several hundred vehicles. It’s a chunk of money that will stay in Polish arms factories” – he emphasized.

Investments in infrastructure

Paweł Bejda pointed out that investments in infrastructure related to the introduction of new types of military equipment, such as K2 tanks, must be financed from the budget. It is currently estimated that infrastructure costs exceed PLN 60 billion. Bejda pointed out that the purchase of equipment itself constitutes only 35 percent of all costs, the rest are operating and maintenance costs. He criticized the previous management of the Ministry of National Defense for not including these costs in budget plans.

Poland hopes to strengthen cooperation with South Korea by offering its unmanned aerial vehicle systems. “It’s good that the financing is spread over time, but it needs to be foreseen and the money needs to be spent wisely” – said Bejda, adding that the financing of defense spending will depend on economic development and tax revenues.

The Ministry of National Defense, in cooperation with the General Staff and research institutes, is taking into account the army’s comments regarding the operation of the first delivered K2 tanks. The Armament Agency is working on specifications to be implemented in the K2PL variant, which aims to further adapt the tanks to the needs of the Polish Armed Forces.

The new agreement between Poland and South Korea is not only an opportunity to strengthen the Polish defence industry, but also a step towards increasing the country’s security through the modernisation and upgrade of its armed forces.