Taking delivery of the first shipment of tanks and howitzers from South Korea on Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda and the country’s defence minister applauded the prompt execution of a contract that was made in the summer in response to the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine.
The first 10 Black Panther K2 tanks and 24 Thunder K9 howitzers from a $5.8 billion agreement with Seoul arrived by boat at the Polish Navy port of Gdynia, on the Baltic coast, with Duda and Mariusz Blaszczak in attendance.
They emphasized how South Korea swiftly replied to Poland‘s urgent request for increased deterrence and defence capabilities due to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which is located just across Poland’s eastern border.
“The quick pace of this delivery is of crucial importance in the face of Russian aggression and the war in Ukraine,” Duda said.
“This is the future, this is the real strengthening of Poland’s security,” Duda said, standing before the tanks and the howitzers.
“In order to stop aggression, to stop the enemy, it is necessary for the army to have this modern equipment,” he added.
Officials from the Korean government and the defence sector attended the ceremony in the chilly rain.
The arrival of the Korean weaponry has “great significance for the history of Korean-Polish relations,” according to Eom Dong-hwan, minister of the South Korean armaments agency.
Blaszczak emphasized that armaments are some of the most cutting-edge technologies in use today.
“We want peace so we are preparing for war,” Blaszczak said, invoking an ancient Latin saying.
Up until 2025, more deliveries are anticipated.
Poland is buying thousands of Hyundai Rotem K2 Black Panther tanks and Hanhwa Defense K9 Thunder howitzers. The agreement covers logistics, ammunition, and related equipment that is required.
For almost $3 billion, the conservative administration in Warsaw is also purchasing multiple missile launchers developed in Korea, the K239 Chunmoo, as well as FA-50 fighter fighters, light training and combat aircraft produced by Korea Aerospace and Lockheed Martin jointly.
Poland is also looking for a technology transfer so that it might begin domestic manufacture.
