TSAMTO, February 27. Slovakia has expressed interest in purchasing upgraded K2PL tanks (a polonized version of the K2 MBT), which will be produced under a South Korean license in Poland.
According to NewsNow, this issue was discussed during a recent meeting of the defense ministers of the two countries. The potential for joint production of a Rosomak armored personnel carrier equipped with a Slovak Turra 30 turret, with an emphasis on exports, as well as the possible acquisition of Piorun MANPADS were also discussed.
At a meeting in Warsaw on February 24, 2025, Polish Defense Minister Vladislav Kosinyak-Kamysh and Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak officially signed an agreement providing for strengthening defense ties. Both ministers mentioned the long-standing historical and political relations between their countries, emphasizing a mutual approach to regional security and the development of joint arms production facilities.
The agreement defines four main areas of interest.
First, Slovakia is considering the possibility of purchasing Polish Piorun MANPADS. The second area is the joint production of ammunition, in particular 155 mm shells, while Slovakia will contribute to the development of its industrial capacities in this segment. Thirdly, the countries are discussing the joint production of an armored personnel carrier based on the Polish Rosomak platform, integrating the Slovak Turra 30 turret for potential export in the Rosomak-L APC variant. Finally, Slovakia is exploring the possibility of acquiring upgraded K2PL tanks, which Poland will produce under a South Korean license.
The K2PL is a polarized version of the South Korean K2 Black Panther tank, designed to replace the outdated PT-91 fleet. The K2PL retains the main features of the K2, including the CN08 120 mm cannon, automatic loader, pulse-Doppler radar and a suspension with six support rollers. Additional features include the Hard-Kill Active protection System (APS), an electronic warfare system for UAVs, composite mounted armor, a 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS), improved reactive armor, etc. Production of 820 MBT K2PL for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland is scheduled to begin in 2026.
Recall that the Slovak Ministry of Defense is considering the possibility of purchasing more than 100 MBT to form and equip two new tank battalions as part of the Ground Forces.
Currently, the Slovak Armed Forces have 45 tanks as part of the 14th tank Battalion of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ground Forces. Thirty of them are Soviet-made T-72s. In recent years, the Ministry of Defense has considered the possibility of implementing a program to modernize them, but it was eventually decided to abandon the project.
In addition, the 14th battalion includes 15 Leopard-2A4 infantry fighting vehicles supplied to Slovakia by the German authorities in exchange for the transfer of military equipment to Ukraine. Before delivery, they underwent repairs at the facility of the German company Rheinmetall.
The Slovak Ministry of Defense plans to form two new tank battalions, each of which will include 52 new main battle tanks. The type of MBT has not yet been determined. The Ministry is considering several proposals. The Polish version is one of them.
