On Friday, August the 26th in Morąg, Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak approved executive contracts for the delivery of 180 Korean K2 tanks and 212 K9 howitzers for the Polish Army.

In July this year, the head of the Ministry of National Defence approved framework agreements concluded with South Korea for the purchase of equipment for the Polish Army. The contracts for K2 tanks, K9 howitzers and FA-50 aircrafts are one of the most important and largest Polish defence orders in recent years.

"What we have achieved with our Korean partner, we can say is something impressive. Three months ago, during my visit to Seoul, we started negotiations. Two months ago, after the meeting in Madrid, during the NATO summit, our presidents discussed our cooperation. A month ago, we signed framework contracts, and today we signed contracts for the sale of K2 tanks and K9 howitzers to equip the Polish Army"

- emphasized the deputy prime minister.

The ordered equipment is a real strengthening of the Polish deterrence and defence potential. Ultimately, it will be manufactured with a broad participation of the Polish defence industry, taking into account the opinions and assessments of military experts. Orders are characterized by a fast pace of deliveries and a large transfer of technology to Poland.

"Both our countries have a lot in common. Both Poland and Korea want peace. But in order to achieve it, we must have developed armed forces. This is the basic condition for deterring the aggressor. We must not allow our countries to be attacked. We are well aware of the threats, and our response is cooperation. Cooperation in the field of modernization of the army into Korean weapons, but also cooperation of the defence industries. The prospects for this cooperation are also very good for the Polish defence industry. This is a solution that is beneficial for both parties"

-    said the minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak also referred to the disinformation emerging in the media regarding the modernization of the Polish Army.

"Every day I hear criticism of the fact that we quickly equip the Polish Army with modern equipment. This criticism is carried out by former commanders associated with the political opposition. It is good that they are no longer in the army, because when they commanded the army, they did not buy equipment, liquidated units, and today they only speculate and arouse disinformation. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, during the times of the PO-PSL, the units were liquidated. This is unacceptable, it is reprehensible. As we hear and read today, the security of our homeland was spared".

- he pointed out.

The executive agreement with Hyundai Rotem provides for the delivery of 180 K2 tanks in the years 2022-2025, of which already in 2022 the Polish Armed Forces will be reinforced with the first tanks. The contract also includes a training and logistics package as well as a supply of ammunition.

As the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out, this year soldiers will go to Korea to train on K2 tanks.

"The soldiers of the Polish Army will go to Korea in October this year to train on K2 tanks. So the crews will return from training, and new tanks will be at the disposal of the Polish Army. In this way, we strengthen the security of the Republic of Poland"

- he said.

In turn, the executive agreement with Hanwha Defense provides for the acquisition of 212 self-propelled howitzers of the K9 family, in the K9A1 version, in the years 2022-2026, of which already in 2022 the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland will be reinforced with the first howitzers. The contract also includes a training and logistics package as well as a supply of ammunition.

GALLERY >>> Approval of contracts for modern tanks and howitzers for Poland