As Russia intensifies its war on Ukraine, Poland is doubling down on military expansion—with South Korea emerging as its go-to arms supplier.
This month, Poland finalized a deal for a second batch of 180 South Korean K2 Black Panther tanks, bringing the NATO country closer to its goal of acquiring nearly 1,000 units under a 2022 agreement. The $6.7 billion package also includes 80 support vehicles, ammunition, and training programs. It’s part of Warsaw’s sweeping rearmament effort amid growing fears that Russian aggression could spill beyond Ukraine’s borders.
“The new contract reinforces Poland’s position as a rising military power in Europe,” said South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), which oversees foreign arms sales. It also further cements South Korea’s role as a top weapons exporter—especially to U.S. allies grappling with depleted American stockpiles.
A Warzone Customer
Poland, a NATO ally bordering war-torn Ukraine, has become a vital link in the West’s military chain. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Warsaw has donated hundreds of Soviet-era tanks and armored vehicles to Kyiv while simultaneously replenishing its own arsenal with advanced imports—many of them South Korean.
Under the original 2022 framework agreement, Poland is set to receive:
- 980 K2 tanks
- 648 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers
- 48 FA-50 fighter jets
Deliveries are well underway. Hyundai Rotem, which builds the K2, said most of the first 180 tanks have already arrived. The new deal includes the launch of a local production line in Poland for a customized variant, the K2PL. Sixty of the next 180 tanks will be assembled domestically.
South Korean contractor Hanwha Aerospace has delivered 174 K9 howitzers to Poland, with 38 still pending. Talks for an additional 152 units are in progress. Korean Aerospace Industries has sent 12 of the 48 FA-50 jets Poland ordered.
Defense Spending Surges as War Nears Polish Borders
With the war raging less than 100 miles from its territory, Poland is on high alert. A recent Russian drone assault on the Ukrainian city of Lutsk prompted Warsaw to scramble fighter jets. The city lies just 50 miles from Poland’s eastern border.
Poland’s defense spending has surged in response. According to NATO, the country is on track to spend 4.7% of its GDP on defense this year—the highest percentage among all member states. The expansion aims to quickly replace donated equipment and bolster national readiness.
“Poland has arguably emerged as Europe’s most capable military power,” noted the Wilson Center in a March report.
However, the rapid buildup isn’t without challenges. The RAND Corporation warned in May that much of Poland’s spending relies on foreign loans. If financing terms tighten or interest rates climb, the scale of Warsaw’s rearmament could be at risk. RAND also flagged a looming recruitment gap, with Poland needing to grow its military by nearly 50% over the next decade.
Seoul’s Strategic Rise
South Korea, now the 10th-largest arms exporter globally, is capitalizing on its fast production timelines and high-quality systems. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Poland accounts for nearly half of Seoul’s total weapons exports, followed by the Philippines (14%) and India (7%).
With U.S. arms production straining under the demands of supporting both Ukraine and Israel, many allies are turning to Seoul to meet urgent defense needs.
A recent report by the Stimson Center emphasized that South Korea’s growing defense industry—especially in shipbuilding and ground-based weapons—could play a long-term strategic role in supporting U.S. military logistics and capacity.
Washington has already begun awarding contracts for U.S. Navy ship maintenance to South Korean yards, as American shipyards face backlogs.
As geopolitical tensions grow across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, South Korea’s role as a military supplier is no longer just regional—it’s global. And Poland, perched at the edge of a warzone, is proving to be its most critical customer yet.
