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| This photo shows a ceremony in Gdynia, Poland, Tuesday (local time), celebrating the arrival of the first batch of South Korean K2 battle tanks, with Polish President Andrzej Duda, third from right, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, center, Hyundai Rotem President Lee Yong-bae, second from left, and Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il, fourth from right. Courtesy of Hyundai Rotem |
By Kang Seung-woo
The first batch of 24 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 10 K2 battle tanks was delivered to Poland, Tuesday (local time), according to South Korean defense companies.
The shipment came after Poland signed a purchase agreement in July for 980 K2 battle tanks from Hyundai Rotem and 648 K9 self-propelled howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace as well as 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft from South Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The deal was among South Korea's most important and largest defense orders in recent years. They also signed with Warsaw's Armament Agency a follow-up arrangement to the "framework" contract in August.
The follow-up contracts call for the delivery of 180 K2 tanks from 2022 to 2025 and 212 K9 howitzers between 2022 and 2026.
The official ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the military equipment, was held, Tuesday, in the Polish port city of Gdynia, with President Andrzej Duda and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak present. Among the South Korean participants were Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Minister Eom Dong-hwan, DAPA Deputy Minister Yoo Dong-joon, Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il and Hyundai Rotem CEO Lee Yong-bae.
"The handover of the K9s is a key milestone in the development of partnership between Hanwha Aerospace and the Government of Poland," said Lee Boo-hwan, head of Hanwha Aerospace's European business. "Meeting the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces is our top priority, and we are proud of having produced and delivered the best-quality equipment to Poland so quickly."
A Hyundai Rotem official also said, "We will continue to do our best to ensure stable delivery of the K2 tank."
Poland's procurement of South Korean military equipment is due to the Central European country's donation of its military hardware to Ukraine, currently at war with Russia.
For Hanwha's part, it also plans to build an advanced MRO center in Poland to provide efficient logistics support to Poland and other K9 user countries across the European region.
"There is no doubt Hanwha Aerospace is the most reliable partner for Poland to contribute to the Polish defense capability and industry growth," the Hanwha CEO said.
"Hanwha is committed to making Poland a hub for the supply of K9 systems in Europe based on stronger partnership with the government of Poland."
Defense cooperation with Poland has increased of late amid expectations that it will pave the way for South Korean defense companies to exports products to NATO member countries.
While attending the NATO Summit held in June, President Yoon Suk-yeol promoted Korean-made military hardware to NATO members that were showing interest in boosting military capabilities in response to the war in Ukraine.
Hanwha also agreed with Poland to supply 288 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers in October.
With a maximum range of 80 kilometers, the Chunmoo system has served as a key counter-artillery asset for South Korea to counter threats from North Korea's long-range artillery.
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