On May the 29th , the head of the Ministry of National Defence began his visit to South Korea. During his visit minister Błaszczak met with Minister Eun-ho Kang, the chief of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and representatives of the South Korean defence industry. The Minister also had a conversation with Mr. Jae-il Son, CEO and President of Hanwha Defense.

During the meetings in Seoul, Minister Blaszczak talked about strengthening the defence potential of the Polish Army with the participation of South Korean armaments companies.

"Why is Korean equipment proven? Because Korea has the challenge of its northern neighbour, who also conducts an aggressive policy, so our task is to equip the Polish Armed Forces with modern equipment. Equipment that will deter the aggressor. Such equipment is undoubtedly the one produced in Korea. We talked about accelerating deliveries, about increasing the number of these weapons that will go to the Polish Army. My delegation includes the president of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, so we also talked about the method of financing these purchases. Undoubtedly, the basis is The Act on the defence of the Matherland, which guarantees an increase in defence spending. But also Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, under an agreement with the Ministry of National Defence, runs the Fund for Support for the Armed Forces" 

– said the minister.

The head of the Ministry of National Defence drew attention to the need to increase the supply of self-propelled howitzers Krab and establishing cooperation in the field of a new South Korean infantry fighting vehicle.

“Our Korean partner is interested in cooperation with Poland. This cooperation has been going on for several years. In the case of the self-propelled howitzers Krab, today we must accelerate these deliveries, we must increase the nature of cooperation, also when it comes to infantry fighting vehicles. I am delighted with the domestic infantry fighting vehicle that is being built in Poland, but the production capabilities of this vehicle are limited in relation to the needs of the Polish Army. My task as the minister of national defence is to equip the Polish Army with this weapon as soon as possible. So, in self-propelled howitzers Krab and infantry fighting vehicles”

– minister stressed.

During his visit, Minister Mariusz Błaszczak also met his Korean counterpart - Minister Jong-sup Lee. Ministers signed agreements on cooperation in the area of armaments and research.

 

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“Apart from the American #ABRAMS, it is very important that the Polish Army is equipped with modern tanks produced by Hyundai Rotem. Indeed, it is a very good offer, also in cooperation with the Polish industry. The needs of the Polish Army are significant, we want to replace the post-Soviet tanks with modern tanks in a short time. The interoperability between ABRAMS and Korean K2 tanks is essential” - said Mariusz Błaszczak, the Minister of National Defence during the second day of his visit to South Korea.

On Tuesday, May the 31st , on the second day of the visit to South Korea, the Polish delegation led by the head of the Ministry of National Defence discussed the possibilities of cooperation with the president and representatives of the management of the defence company KAI - Korea Aerospace Industries.

Minister Błaszczak and Yong-Bae Lee, Chief Executive Officer at Hyundai Rotem - a South Korean company operating in the defence industry, discussed possibilities of launching the cooperation.

“I hope it will be a good offer and, together with the Polish armaments industry, the K2 tanks will soon be used by the Polish Army”

-said the minister.

During his visit to Hyundai Rotem,  head of the Ministry of National Defence got familiarized with the offer regarding wheeled armoured personnel carriers. 

“It is also a very good offer, also addressed to the Polish defence industry. It is vital that the Polish Army increases in numbers and is equipped with modern weapons. We will negotiate the details, the starting point is very good. I am counting on a quick conclusion.

– the head of the Ministry of National Defence emphasized after the meeting.
 

GALLERY - >> We are strengthening military cooperation between Poland and South Korea