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Strengthening the capacity of the Polish Armed Forces as part of Polish-Korean cooperation

05.06.2023

"Cooperation between Poland and South Korea is well advanced. The first tanks are already in Poland, the first K9 cannon howitzers are also already on the equipment of the 16th Mechanized Division. The FA-50 aircraft will also be provided to the Polish Army, replacing post-Soviet aircraft. Our efforts are focused on replacing post-Soviet equipment with modern one. Korean equipment is among the most modern. The Ministry of Defense has negotiated good prices for this equipment. Now, it is a matter of getting the Bank of National Economy [Polish: Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego] to fill the financial plans with content. As a result, we have a state-of-the-art equipment that goes and will be equipped to the Polish Armed Forces" said Mariusz Blaszczak, Minister of National Defense, during his visit to South Korea.

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A three-day visit of Mariusz Blaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of National Defense, to South Korea began on Monday, June 5.

"The opposition while it was in power disarmed the Polish Armed Forces and liquidated military units. More than 600 military units were disbanded during the PO-PSL coalition government. And the rule of Law and Justice since 2015 is distinguished by the fact that we are strengthening the Polish Military, establishing new military units, equipping the Polish troops with modern equipment. It is sufficient to talk to our soldiers. How do they evaluate, for instance, our K2 tanks. A few weeks ago, I spoke with the crews of Polish K2 tanks during the firing on the training ground in Bemowo Piskie. Our soldiers are amazed by these tanks. They were designed in the 21st century, they stand out with their features that other tanks do not have. These are lighter tanks than Abrams, and therefore perfectly adapted to the geographical conditions prevailing in the northeastern part of our country."

- emphasized the head of the Ministry of Defense.

During the first day of the visit, the head of the Ministry of Defense met with his Korean counterpart, Minister LEE Jong-sup, and the Minister of the Defense Procurement Agency (DAPA) who is responsible for the defense procurement program, Eom Donh-Hwan. The subject of the talks was the strengthening of the Polish Armed Forces' capabilities within the framework of Polish-Korean cooperation.

At the meeting with Deputy Chief National Security Advisor LIM Jong-deuk, further military cooperation between Poland and South Korea was discussed.

"Today, I spoke with the CEO of Hyundai Rotem about our cooperation. I also spoke with the advisor to the South Korean president, the national security advisor, as well as the minister who heads the ministry for Korean arms purchases and exports. The prospects for strengthening the Polish Armed Forces are excellent. Within the framework of the committee that will be formed in two days, we will sign an agreement with my Korean counterpart. Within this committee, teams will be set up to deal with specific types of armaments. But also scientific and research cooperation - we are looking to the future, we want to develop new technologies together. (...) My task as Minister of National Defense is to strengthen the Polish Military, and thanks to cooperation with South Korea we already have tangible results. K2 tanks, K9 cannon howitzers. Also in August of this year, the first K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery sets, with a range of up to 300 kilometers, will be delivered to the Polish Army."

- Deputy Prime Minister M. Blaszczak noted after meetings with the South Korean side.

During the next day of his visit to South Korea, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense discussed with representatives of South Korea's defense industry.

"These are all really positive talks. We are speaking about the details of our cooperation, which was started last year during my visit in May. Then came the signing of agreements, framework agreements, and eventually executive agreements. Now we are talking about the details. I consider our joint achievement to be the fact that the first copies of tanks and howitzers are already in Poland. They arrived last December, and gradually the amount of this equipment is increasing. Meanwhile, during the visit, which began yesterday, we will see the handover of the first copies of aircraft to Poland."

- emphasized the head of the Ministry of Defense.

"Soon, missile launchers with a range of up to 300 kilometers will arrive in Poland as well. We are discussing further elements of our cooperation. We are proud of the fact that South Korea has decided to invest in Poland, that the Polish defense industry will co-produce and in some time independently produce Korean equipment. This is a very clear signal regarding, first of all, Poland's defense capabilities, thus enhancing the security of our homeland."

- the head of the Ministry of Defense added.

As the Deputy Prime Minister noted, the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces is a necessity.

"This process began in 2015. We are shifting away from post-Soviet equipment. Our goal is to equip the Polish Armed Forces with modern, Western-made equipment. First of all, American, but also Korean. An obvious example is the FA-50 aircraft, which were designed by Lockheed Martin, which is the same company that produces the F-16 and F-35."

- he said.

That day, Deputy Prime Minister laid flowers at a memorial site at Seoul National Cemetery, where Korean veterans are buried.

>>> GALLERY - Visit of the head of the Ministry of Defense to South Korea

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On Wednesday, June 7, Minister M. Blaszczak will participate in the official roll-out, or ceremonial departure of the first FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft contracted for Poland from the KAI Factory.  The defense ministers of both countries will also observe fire training using the K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery system and the K9 self-propelled cannon howitzer.

The ministers of Poland and Korea will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), under which the Joint Korean-Polish Committee (JKPC) on Cooperation in the Fields of Defense and Defense Industry will be established. The program will include the first meeting of this council, which will be chaired by the defense ministers, and will consist of 6 working committees whose main focus will be on enhancing military cooperation, education and development-scientific research.

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On September 16, 2022 in Minsk Mazowiecki, the head of the Ministry of Defense approved 2 executive contracts for the acquisition of FA-50 light combat aircraft from the Korean side in a configuration comparable to that ordered by the Republic of Korea Air Force, along with training and logistics packages and technical support services. The 12 aircraft from this contract will be delivered to the Polish Military already this year.

The adopted step-by-step method of acquiring military equipment will allow optimum management of the project and, in particular, enable the rapid achievement, already in the first stage, of the operational and training capabilities required by the Polish Armed Forces by supplying the Air Force with modern military equipment, compatible with F-16 C/D Block 52+ aircraft and contracted fifth-generation F-35A aircraft.

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In addition, contracts are being executed with Korean industry for K2 Black Panther tanks; K239 CHUNMOO multi-launchers; and K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. The first K2 tanks and K9 howitzers have already arrived in Poland. 

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