Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back attended the signing ceremony for the second batch of the K2 Black Panther implementation contract—covering 180 tanks and 81 support vehicles worth approximately USD 6.5 billion—on August 1 (local time) in Gliwice, Poland, alongside Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

The signing ceremony was attended by key dignitaries from both countries, including the defense ministers, the Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the President of Hyundai Rotem, and the President of the Polish Armaments Agency.

Hyundai Rotem President Lee Yong-bae and Brigadier General Artur Kuptel, Head of the Polish Armaments Agency, signed the contract.

Minister Ahn decided to visit Poland to attend the signing ceremony for the second batch of the K2 Black Panther implementation contract, recognizing the importance of the contract for bilateral relations and defense industry cooperation between the two countries.

The Polish defense minister announced to the local press on July 2 that negotiations for the second batch of the K2 Black Panther implementation contract had been completed, with a signing ceremony planned to be held with both defense ministers in attendance after Korea’s new defense minister took office.

The contract includes the production of Polish-customized K2 Black Panther tanks and the development of Armored Engineering Vehicles, such as Bridge Layers, Combat Engineer Vehicles, and Recovery Vehicles. With the potential for joint production and expanded exports in the future, this agreement is expected to act as a catalyst to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the defense industry.

At the signing ceremony, Minister Ahn stated, “Through the signing of the second batch of K2 Black Panther contracts, South Korea and Poland will become strategic partners, moving beyond a simple supplier-buyer relationship.”

He also emphasized, “The K2 Black Panther tanks, which will play a key role in Poland’s national security, will become a symbol of bilateral cooperation and peace, reflecting our shared commitment to acting together toward the common goal of peace.” He added, “Today’s signing ceremony marks not an end, but a beginning—a pivotal moment that will allow South Korea and Poland to deepen their cooperation by sharing common values beyond security collaboration.”

After the signing ceremony, Minister Ahn visited the plant of the Polish company Zakłady Mechaniczne Bumar-Łabędy, which will locally produce K2 Black Panther tanks. He was briefed on the current progress of K2 Black Panther-related cooperation between the company and Hyundai Rotem, as well as future plans.