This number reflects the requirements declared by the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, as well as a provision in the framework agreement concluded between Poland and the Republic of Korea in August 2022 in Morąg. As the Ministry of National Defence later revealed, it is divided into six separate implementing contracts – simple arithmetic indicates that each should cover 167 vehicles. However, the first contract, which has already been completed, as well as the second one (signed in August 2025), each cover 180 tanks, including the first 64 in the K2PL configuration. Additionally, and crucially, the second implementing contract also includes the first batch of the highly important armored recovery vehicles.
So far, 180 K2GF Black Panther tanks have been delivered to Poland. This year, deliveries of a further 116 vehicles of this version are expected to begin. / Photo: Radosław Niesobski, MILMAG
The delivery of the first 180 K2GF Black Panther tanks made it possible to re-equip three tank battalions (58 vehicles each) assigned to the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division, headquartered in Olsztyn: the 20th Bartoszyce Mechanized Brigade, the 9th Braniewo Armored Cavalry Brigade, and the 15th Giżycko Mechanized Brigade. The remaining six vehicles were also delivered to the Land Forces Training Center in Poznań. Despite this, the main training effort remains the responsibility of the individual brigades stationed in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (details in the table).
Deliveries of K2GF Black Panther tanks under the first implementing contract
| Unit | Number | Garrison |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade | 58 | Braniewo |
| 15th Mechanized Brigade | 58 | Orzysz |
| 20th Mechanized Brigade | 58 | Morąg |
| Land Forces Training Center | 6 | Poznań |
Deliveries of the above were carried out between December 2022 and November 2025. The second implementing contract, signed in August 2025, is to be executed in stages from this year until 2031. Under the first of these stages, the Korean side is to deliver 116 K2GF Black Panther tanks, which will make it possible to re-equip two additional tank battalions. Deliveries are to take place in 2026 and 2027 – unofficially, it is known that the vehicles included in this year’s batch have already been produced and are currently awaiting the final onboard equipment components and the start of sea transport.
At present, three battalions have been re-equipped with K2GF tanks and are using the available equipment for intensive personnel training. / Photo: Radosław Niesobski, MILMAG
The start of deliveries of the K2PL Black Panther version is planned for 2028. So far, 64 units have been ordered under the second implementing contract. The first of them, around four vehicles, are to be manufactured in the Republic of Korea, while the rest will come from a Polish production line to be built at ZM Bumar-Łabędy.
Among the equipment shortfalls are tracked driver training vehicles, among others. / Photo: Land Forces Training Center
In the case of the K2PL configuration, this involves reinforced add-on armor, the use of an active protection system, integration of a remotely controlled weapon station with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, a jamming system, and a modified communications system.
Deliveries of K2GF/K2PL Black Panther tanks under the second implementing contract
| Unit | Number | Garrison |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade | 58 K2GF | Braniewo |
| 1st Legions Infantry Division | 58 K2GF | Unknown |
| Unknown | 58 K2PL | Unknown |
| Unknown | 6 K2PL | Unknown |
The 360 K2GF/K2PL tanks will also be complemented by support vehicles. The second implementing contract includes 31 armored recovery vehicles, 25 engineer vehicles, and the same number of bridge-laying vehicles. In their case, deliveries are to begin in 2029. As the Ministry of National Defence indicates, their configuration will incorporate components, subassemblies, systems, and specialized equipment supplied by numerous vendors from the Republic of Korea, Poland, and other European countries. The role of third-party entities will be based on subcontracting, the supply of specified components and equipment, and the necessary technology.
Because of these shortfalls, the K2GF’s technical support currently relies in part on available WZT-3 vehicles. Unfortunately, their capabilities are insufficient. / Photo: Radosław Niesobski, MILMAG
The above number will make it possible to equip six tank battalions with their basic support vehicles. In addition, it will provide a small reserve that will most likely be assigned to the Land Forces Training Center in Poznań or other specialist training centers.
Unfortunately, such a late procurement of support vehicles means that, for the next few years, units equipped with K2GF Black Panther tanks will be forced to improvise or seek temporary stopgap solutions. At present, support for the tanks is provided by existing designs based on Soviet vehicles, including the WZT-3. Unfortunately, they are not suited to working with them, which makes breakdown recovery or towing highly time-consuming in practice. For example, unofficially, towing a K2GF requires three to four other tanks of the same type. It is no secret that the problems mentioned include, among other things, powerpacks and electronic systems.
It cannot be ruled out that, as part of an urgent operational requirement, the Armament Agency will purchase a dozen or so used M88A2 HERCULES vehicles, which could support the K2GF until deliveries begin of dedicated support vehicles based on the K2 platform. / Photo: US Army
Another significant shortfall concerns training vehicles dedicated to driver instruction, as well as simulators. This, in turn, creates the need for extensive use of already delivered combat vehicles in the labor-intensive training of successive groups of soldiers. At the same time, aside from breakdowns, this generates additional operating costs, including excessive and rapid wear of the rubber track pads.
As for temporary solutions, unofficial reports point to the possibility of continuing purchases of American M88A2 HERCULES armored recovery vehicles, which are being delivered gradually to units equipped with M1A1FEP/M1A2SEPv3 Abrams tanks. In the event of further procurement, it cannot be ruled out that the Ministry of National Defence would opt for used vehicles drawn from U.S. Department of War stocks. So far, 49 units have been purchased, 23 of them used, while the remainder are to be factory-new. The second option, again unofficially, is an offer from the German industrial group Rheinmetall for the Bergepanzer 3 “Büffel” armored recovery vehicle. This design had already been offered to Poland under the Kajman program, which was canceled in February 2023 because the German offer exceeded the budget assumed by the Armament Agency. Those vehicles may still be needed in any case because more than 200 Leopard 2A5/PL tanks remain in service.
Alongside the M88A2, the second option could be the Bergepanzer 3 “Büffel,” which had already been offered to Poland under the Kajman program. / Photo: US Army
Comparing the Abrams and K2 Black Panther tank procurement programs, it is clear that many elements have so far been omitted in the case of the contracts with the Republic of Korea. In addition to tracked support vehicles and driver training vehicles (which have also not been purchased for the American tanks, in this case in the Abrams DTT version) there is still no information on command vehicles, mobile field workshops, or diagnostic vehicles. This may raise doubts as to whether a high level of operational readiness and tactical capability will ultimately be achieved.
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