On Thursday, October 19, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) announced that the Military Electronic Works (WZE) from Zielonka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French company Safran Electronics & Defense and the South Korean YoungPoong Electronics regarding the production and servicing of inertial navigation systems for the K2 Heuk-Pyo (Black Panther) tanks.
Image: Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa
The MoU agreement concerns the establishment of local manufacturing and servicing capabilities for the Polish Armed Forces in the field of inertial navigation for the K2 type tank.
Collaboration under this agreement will enable WZE to handle support and servicing of K2s’ inertial navigation systems through their life cycle. Such engagement will allow the Polish Armed Forces to achieve readiness and availability of operated navigation at a lower cost while simultaneously enhancing local competencies in this segment. Through this collaboration, navigational systems will be serviced domestically, effectively reducing the time required for maintenance work and increasing the availability of military equipment for the Polish Armed Forces.
Deliveries of the K2 Heuk-Pyo (Black Panther) tanks to the Polish Armed Forces result from an executive agreement dated August 26, 2022, worth 3.37 billion USD net (15.98 billion PLN net/19.65 billion PLN gross), concluded between the Armament Agency of the Polish Ministry of National Defense and the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem. According to this agreement, a total of 180 tanks will be delivered to Poland between 2022 and 2025.
The transfer of the first batch of 10 tanks took place on December 9, 2022, the second batch, comprising 5 units, on March 22, 2023, the third batch, comprising 7 units, on May 19, and the fourth batch, comprising 6 units, on June 16, 2023 – a total of 28 vehicles were delivered. For 2024, the delivery of another 54 tanks is planned, and for 2025, the remaining 96 units.
The current plans of the Ministry of National Defense (MON), include acquisition of additional 820 K2PL tanks customized for Polish requirements, which will be produced and serviced by a Polish-Korean consortium based in Poznań. It is worth noting that out of this number, 320 will be built in South Korea with a gradually increasing share of Polish components, and another 500 will be produced under license in Poland.
Photo: Rafał Muczyński, MILMAG
The K2 Black Panther is a South Korean third-generation main battle tank. Its main armament consists of a 120mm smoothbore gun with an autoloader, capable of utilizing the latest types of ammunition. Auxiliary armament includes a 7.62mm machine gun and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The advanced fire control system of the tank ensures high effectiveness of fire at long distances. The armor of the K2 tank, even in its standard configuration, which can be additionally supplemented by active protection systems such as soft kill (VIRSS) and hard kill (KAPS), provides high ballistic and mine resistance. The propulsion system is powered by a 1500 HP diesel engine with an automatic transmission, ensuring high speed and mobility in all terrains. The tank is characterized by a relatively low weight of 55 tons and the use of hydropneumatic suspension.
Based on press information