Poland and Korea form a tank consortium

The United Arab Emirates and Poland will host Republic of Korea Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup this week for talks with his counterparts and to strengthen industrial cooperation, reported the news agency Yonhap.

According to Yonhap, Minister Lee is expected to arrive in Poland today, Wednesday, and the visit is expected to last three days. Both sides are expected to review progress on contracts for the purchase of military equipment, including the K2/K2PL main battle tanks and 155mm caliber K9A1/K9PL self-propelled howitzers, valued at around $12.4 billion.

Prior to the discussions, representatives from both countries will sign a contract that forms the basis for the establishment of a consortium to, as agreed last year, produce K2 tanks and K9A1/K9PL howitzers in Poland. Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa will form this consortium with Hyundai Rotem for the K2 tanks and with Hanwha for the K9 howitzers. It is expected that Polish variants named K2PL and K9PL will be developed, along with the establishment of an expanded Polish defense industry.