Poland receives first batch of 28 K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea

Poland has received the first batch of 28 K2 Black Panther tanks purchased from South Korea, which will be assigned to the 16th Pomeranian Mechanised Division, as confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on social media. This delivery begins the second procurement contract signed by Poland’s Armament Agency and South Korean company Hyundai Rotem in August 2025, covering a further 180 K2 tanks that are crucial to the modernisation of the Polish Armed Forces’ armoured land component.

Purchase of K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea

In mid-2022, Poland signed an agreement with South Korea to acquire 180 K2 Black Panther tanks for a net total of USD 3.370 billion. The contract also covered 48 KAI FA-50 supersonic light fighters and 212 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. The first group of 10 K2 vehicles reached Poland in December 2022, while the final shipment of 20 tanks arrived in November last year, completing the delivery of all 180 Black Panther tanks to the Armed Forces.

As part of this effort to modernise armoured capabilities, Poland and South Korea signed another agreement in August 2025 for the purchase of an additional 180 K2 Black Panther tanks, in a deal valued at USD 6.500 billion. As previously reported, Hyundai Rotem will manufacture 116 tanks in South Korea and deliver them by 2027 in the K2GF configuration. Meanwhile, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) will locally develop 64 vehicles in the Polish K2PL variant, with 61 of the latter to be assembled at Bumar-Łabędy facilities.

First batch for the 16th Pomeranian Mechanised Division

Following the receipt of the initial batch of 28 K2 Black Panther vehicles, Poland’s Armament Agency (Agencja Uzbrojenia) stated: “We are beginning the implementation of this extensive contract, […], which also includes supplementary equipment and, from 2028, K2PL tanks.” It should be recalled that the new August 2025 contract includes 81 armoured support vehicles, the design of which will involve companies belonging to the PGZ Group.

K2 Black Panther tank

The K2 Black Panther main battle tank measures 10.8 metres long and 3.6 metres wide, weighs 55 tonnes, and carries a crew of three. Powered by a 1500 hp MT-833 diesel engine, the K2 has a range of up to 450 kilometres and can reach a top road speed of up to 70 km/h. Its armament suite comprises a 120 mm L/55 gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on top of the turret. More recently, South Korea announced fresh plans to upgrade its Black Panther tanks through the installation of technological and protection equipment.

Poland’s K2 Black Panther fleet and further armoured acquisitions

Poland currently has a total of 208 K2 Black Panther tanks, procured under the 2022 and 2025 agreements, the latter of which remains under way, to strengthen the Armed Forces’ armoured military capabilities. These are complemented by the ongoing introduction of M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks and M88A2 Hercules armoured recovery vehicles acquired from the United States. The new procurement contract confirms military and industrial ties with South Korea, including the framework for technological and manufacturing co-operation between the two countries in developing Black Panther tank variants.