South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem has announced plans to make Poland the European hub for the production and maintenance of its K2 Black Panther main battle tanks, according to Hankyoreh News. The move comes after the signing of a second major contract with the Polish Ministry of National Defence, valued at around $6.5 billion, expanding upon the initial 2022 agreement.
Under the deal, Poland will receive 180 additional K2 tanks, with the first 64 units delivered in the specially developed K2PL configuration tailored to Polish operational needs. This variant represents a significant step in localizing advanced armored capabilities within Poland’s defense sector.
A critical feature of the agreement is the comprehensive technology transfer covering production, assembly, and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) processes. Only the first three K2PL units will be built in South Korea, while the remaining 61 vehicles of the initial batch will be assembled in Poland.
The production will be handled by Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) through its subsidiary Bumar-Łabędy in Gliwice, which is being transformed into a regional center for armored vehicle production. This arrangement not only strengthens Poland’s military modernization but also establishes a long-term industrial partnership with South Korea.
