“Ukraine’s wartime modernization equipment is essential”
The first shipments of K2 Black Panther tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers ordered by Poland have arrived in the country. The AP said a welcoming ceremony for India was held on the 6th at the naval base in Gdynia in northern Poland, attended by President Andrzej Duda and Defense Minister Mariusz Włáščak. Ten K2 tanks and 24 K9 self-propelled howitzers were delivered to Poland on this day, four months after the signing of the first operating contract.
Poland, as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU), has provided military assistance to Ukraine. He wanted to quickly fill the gap in his national power caused by this. At the welcoming ceremony, President Duda said, “The rapid delivery of weapons was important during the Russian invasion and the war in Ukraine,” adding, “It is essential that our military has modern equipment like this for defense. “
Eom Dong-hwan, head of the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration, who attended the welcome ceremony, said, “This arms delivery has an important meaning in the history of Korea-Poland relations.” By 2025, the Polish government has decided to import 980 Korean-made K2 tanks, 648 K9 self-propelled howitzers, three squadrons of FA-50 light attack aircraft (48 in total), and 288 K239 multiple launch rocket launchers. The total size of the contract is expected to exceed 8.7 billion dollars (about 11 trillion won).
Correspondent Min Kim kimmin@donga.com
