On July 27, 2022, at a ceremony in Warsaw, Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak approved framework agreements and contracts of the Armaments Agency of the Ministry of National Defense of Poland with South Korean companies for the supply of large quantities of military equipment for the Polish Army and subsequent joint production in Poland, including the main K2 Black Panther tanks, 155 mm/52 self-propelled howitzers K9 Thunder and FA-50 light combat aircraft.
Approval by the Minister of National Defense of Poland Mariusz Blaszczak of the contract of the Armaments Agency of the Ministry of National Defense of Poland with the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem (as part of Hyundai Motor Group) for the supply of Polish Troops and subsequent joint production in Poland of K2 Black Panther tanks. Warsaw, 27.07.2022 (c) Ministry of National Defense of Poland
Officially, the value of the signed agreements is not called, but, according to South Korean sources, it is more than 20 trillion won ($ 15 billion). This makes them the largest in the history of the South Korean defense industry and represents an unprecedented historical breakthrough for South Korean defense exports.
The Armaments Agency of the Ministry of National Defense of Poland stated that "the adopted method of concluding contracts is associated with the implementation of individual projects broken down into stages, which is also associated with a wide volume of technology transfer and the creation of industrial potential in Poland "program coordination" and "synergetic effect" on the part of military-industrial complex entities."
Signed agreements include:
Agreements with Hyundai Rotem (as part of Hyundai Motor Group) - includes a contract for the supply of 180 ready-made K2 tanks in the basic configuration to Poland in 2022-2025 (the contract value is about 3 trillion won), and an agreement on the subsequent production in Poland and South Korea from 2026 of 820 modified K2PL tanks to Polish requirements (the cost of this the program is estimated at 10 trillion won). From 2026, it is also planned to refine the first 180 K2 tanks to the K2PL level. This is the first export contract for K2 tanks. In the longer term, it is planned to develop a new generation tank within the framework of Polish-South Korean cooperation.
The K2 tanks supplied in the standard configuration will be equipped with communication and combat control systems of Polish standards (in fact, similar to those used on Abrams tanks purchased by Poland). As for the K2PL tanks, they do not mean the previously demonstrated Hyundai Rotem project of deep modernization of the K2 on a seven-wheeled chassis, but a more modest modernization option, which provides for enhanced booking, equipping with a circular view system, an ASOP active protection system, the possibility of using programmable ammunition from another supplier and the use of a Polish 12.7 mm WKM machine gun (a variant of the NSV under NATO cartridge).
Agreements with Hanwha Defense (the military division of the Hanwha Group) - include a contract for the supply of 48 K9A1 self-propelled howitzers to Poland in 2022-2023 and subsequent joint production in South Korea (from 2024) and Poland (from 2026) of 624 K9PL self-propelled howitzers modified to Polish requirements, which should be created based on solutions K9A2 modifiers. From 2026, it is also planned to finalize the first 48 ACS K9A1 to the K9PL variant. The total value of the agreements exceeds 4 trillion won. In the longer term, it is planned to develop a self-propelled howitzer of a new generation within the framework of Polish-South Korean cooperation.
Agreements with Korean Aerospace Industries Corporation (KAI) - include a contract for the purchase of 48 light two-seat combat aircraft (fighters) KAI FA-50 with a total value of 3 trillion won. The first 12 aircraft are to be delivered in the second half of 2023 in the current serial configuration of the FA-50 Block 10 (moreover, according to South Korean media, the first eight aircraft will be taken from the KAI production line from among the aircraft being built for the South Korean Air Force). From 2025, deliveries of 36 FA-50PL modification aircraft, approximately corresponding to the promising FA-50 Block 20, should be started, their deliveries will be carried out within two to three years.
The contract for the FA-50 includes training and logistics packages, the supply of weapons and ammunition, and technical support from the manufacturer. The training package includes simulator equipment and pilot training, first in South Korea, and then in Poland. The contract also provides for technology transfer, as a result of which an FA-50PL aircraft service center will be built in Poland with a planned commissioning date in 2026.
At the signing ceremony, Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak said:
"Framework agreements have been signed that will significantly strengthen the Polish armed forces. This fortification is extremely important due to the situation on our eastern border. We don't have time, we can't wait. We must arm the Polish Army."
"The signed framework agreements are only the first stage of our cooperation [with South Korea]. We are convinced that this cooperation is beneficial for both our countries, that this cooperation will strengthen the Polish armed forces and provide opportunities for the Polish and Korean military industries, This is not filling the gaps that we have in the armed forces. This is a strategic approach. Both our countries are aware of the danger of aggressive Russian policy. Our countries are aware that our armed forces must be equipped with modern technology."
"It is extremely important that the first deliveries of self-propelled howitzers and tanks will take place this year. So we are starting our cooperation with the supply of military equipment this year. The first planes will be delivered to the Polish Army and the Polish Air Force next year"
"According to the signed framework agreement, we will order 1,000 K2 tanks, order more than 600 K9 self-propelled howitzers, and also order three squadrons of FA-50 aircraft. We can say that we have already ordered just such a weapon. Why such a weapon? Because we draw conclusions from what is happening in Ukraine. We draw conclusions from how the aggressor attacks, how Russia attacks. We see that armored troops and artillery are of great importance on the battlefield at the present time, hence the decision to strengthen this type of armed forces.
The ordered equipment is a real strengthening of the Polish deterrence and defense potential. Ultimately, it will be manufactured with the broad participation of the Polish defense industry, taking into account the opinions and assessments of military experts. The orders are characterized by a rapid pace of deliveries and a large transfer of technology to Poland.
In the case of tanks, it is extremely important that we have very large forces at our disposal. Hence the large number associated with tanks. Korean tanks, like all Korean weapons, have been tested because Korea has been preparing for war for 70 years, wanting peace. It is known that it is under threat, so this Korean equipment must be of the highest quality.
With regard to self-propelled howitzers, their design is very similar to the Polish Krab self-propelled howitzers. I would like to emphasize that we will order as many Krab howitzers in Poland as possible so that all the production capacities of Polish factories are involved. But our needs far exceed the production capacity of Huta Stalowa Wola, which is why we decided on such a deal. I emphasize that our cooperation with Korea is of a strategic nature. This does not fill in the gaps in our armed forces. This is a strategic approach
We have an agreement that in the coming years the production of these weapons will be in Poland. This is a great opportunity for the Polish defense industry. I am glad that the President of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, Mr. Sebastian Hvalek, took part in the negotiations. These were negotiations, as a result of which very good contracts were concluded. We still have contracts to implement, but I am sure that we will find absolutely good solutions that are beneficial for both sides, both for the Polish and Korean sides. We want to choose the best of the Krab design and the best of the K9 design in the next few years, so that this weapon is the same for both countries. I would like to emphasize once again, since there were some misunderstandings here, we will use the production facilities of Huta Stalowa Wola to the fullest. Also develop other production facilities.
The first aircraft [FA-50] will be available to the Polish Air Force next year. Firstly, these planes will allow us to write off post-Soviet planes. Secondly, they will allow us to improve the training of Polish pilots. Thirdly, these are combat training aircraft, so they will be used in various types of tasks that we perform as NATO members as a sign of solidarity."
The ceremony of approval by the Minister of National Defense of Poland Mariusz Blaszczak of framework agreements and contracts of the Armaments Agency of the Ministry of National Defense of Poland with South Korean companies for the supply of Polish Troops and subsequent joint production in Poland of large quantities of military equipment. Warsaw, 27.07.2022 (c) Ministry of National Defense of Poland
