According to information published by Korea JoongAng Daily on March 9, 2025, South Korea is preparing to sign a significant defense deal with Poland, set to export 180 additional K2 Black Panther main battle tanks in a deal worth approximately $6.2 billion. Government officials confirmed the new agreement on March 9, 2025, stating that the deal is expected to be finalized by April 2025. This latest contract marks another major step in the strengthening defense partnership between the two nations, continuing a trend of growing military cooperation in the wake of regional security concerns.
The new deal builds on an earlier agreement signed in July 2022, under which South Korea agreed to supply Poland with a range of advanced military hardware, including K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers. This strategic initiative is part of South Korea’s broader effort to expand its defense exports while enhancing its ties with NATO member Poland, a key ally in Eastern Europe amid increasing security instability in the region.
The current proposal comes after a landmark $12.4 billion contract signed in August 2022, under which Poland received its first batch of 180 K2 tanks, 212 K9 howitzers, and 48 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea. The delivery of this first batch, scheduled over the coming years, forms part of Poland’s larger plan to modernize its military forces in response to the evolving geopolitical environment, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Since then, Poland has expressed continued interest in expanding its defense capabilities, with South Korea proactively pushing to export further batches of its advanced military systems, particularly the K2 Black Panther tanks.