Ukraine war: South Korea weapons, including tanks, arrive in Poland after US$5.8 billion deal
- Polish President Andrzej Duda, South Korean officials among group welcoming an initial shipment of tanks and artillery guns to Poland, an EU and Nato member
- Poland says South Korea responded quickly to its need to increase its deterrence and defence potential as Russia’s war in Ukraine, just over the border, continues
Polish President Andrzej Duda and the country’s defence minister on Tuesday took delivery of a first shipment of tanks and howitzers from South Korea, hailing the swift implementation of a deal signed in the summer in the face of the war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Duda and Mariusz Blaszczak were in the Polish Navy port of Gdynia, on the Baltic coast, to mark the arrival by sea of the first 10 Black Panther K2 tanks, along with 24 Thunder K9 howitzers, a kind of long-range artillery weapon, from a US$5.8 billion deal with Seoul.
They stressed that South Korea responded quickly to the need by Poland, a European Union nation and Nato member, to urgently increase its deterrence and defence potential as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has invaded Ukraine, just across Poland’s eastern border. Poland also borders Russia.
Korean government and defence industry officials were also present to see the weapons arrive.
“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.
More deliveries are planned between now and 2025. Poland is purchasing hundreds of K2 Black Panther tanks made by Hyundai Rotem and K9 Thunder howitzers made by Hanhwa Defence. The deal includes training, logistics and ammunition.
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The conservative government in Warsaw is also buying Korean FA-50 fighter jets, a light training and combat aircraft made jointly by Korea Aerospace and Lockheed Martin, for some US$3 billion.
Poland is also seeking a technology transfer so it can launch production domestically.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
