Poland receives new batch of South Korean K2 tanks and K9 howitzers for eastern flank
Photo: South Korean weapons deliveries to Poland (Agencja Uzbrojenia)
Poland has received its final batch of South Korean K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers and K2 Black Panther tanks for this year. The equipment is expected to reach military units on the country's eastern flank within the next few days, according to Poland's Armament Agency.
The Armament Agency announced the arrival of the final weapons shipment of the year on November 9. According to the agency, several dozen K9 Thunder howitzers and K2 Black Panther tanks are being unloaded after arriving in the country.
Photo: South Korean weapons deliveries to Poland (Agencja Uzbrojenia)
The equipment was purchased under two contracts signed on December 1, 2023, and August 1, 2025. According to the agency, it will be delivered to units on Poland's eastern flank within the next few days, strengthening the firepower of the 16th Mechanized Division.
The 16th Mechanized Division is based in northeastern Poland. The area borders Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and lies near the Suwalki Gap, a narrow strip of land between Kaliningrad and Belarus that connects Poland with the Baltic states. It is one of the most closely monitored regions on NATO's eastern flank.
The December 2023 contract provides for the delivery of 152 K9 howitzers manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace, worth approximately $2.6 billion, Defense News reported. The K9 is a tracked 155mm artillery system capable of firing while moving between positions. It is used by several NATO member states and partner countries, including Finland, Norway and Estonia. Later K9 units delivered to Poland include the localized K9PL variant, adapted to Polish equipment.
The August 2025 deal was Poland's second executive contract for K2 tanks. It covers 180 vehicles manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, including 64 upgraded K2PL tanks to be produced in Poland. The contract is worth approximately $6.5 billion. Deliveries under the deal have already begun, with Poland receiving its first K2 tanks under the new agreement.
The K2 is a 55-ton main battle tank equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun and an autoloader, allowing its crew to operate without a dedicated loader.
Poland began purchasing weapons from South Korea in 2022. At the time, Warsaw signed framework agreements for the supply of up to 1,000 K2 tanks, 672 K9 howitzers and 288 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers to replace Soviet-era equipment, much of which it had transferred to Ukraine. The first executive contracts signed that year covered 180 K2 tanks and 212 K9 howitzers. Within just a few months, the first South Korean howitzers and tanks for Poland had rolled off the production lines.
The latest deliveries are part of one of Europe's largest military buildup programs. Poland plans to spend approximately 4.8% of its GDP on defense in 2026, one of the highest rates in NATO. The country is expanding its military to deploy more armored and artillery units along its eastern border.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Poland would provide Ukraine with two MiG-29 fighter jets and ammunition as part of a new aid package worth approximately 50 million euros.
