South Korea as an arms supplier: customer in danger of war

South Korea as an arms supplier: customer in danger of war

Seoul, South Korea – Poland has a contract to acquire a second batch of 180 South Korean tanks under a 2022 agreement finally sealed. This contract will see Warsaw add nearly 1,000 of these armored vehicles to its arsenal.

Poland's rise to military power in Europe

The deal underscores Poland's emergence as a major military force in Europe and South Korea's role as a key arms supplier, particularly to U.S. allies, as wars around the world deplete American supplies. This is happening against the background of increased attacks by Russia on Ukraine, the effects of which can be felt right up to the Polish border.

Increased defense spending in Poland

Warsaw has increased its defense spending since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, purchasing new weapons while supporting Kiev in its defense. As a NATO member that borders Ukraine, Poland is seen as part of the alliance's first line of defense if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to expand his aggression beyond Ukraine.

Main battle tank agreement and deal details

The Polish Ministry of Defense announced the tank deal, which has yet to be formally signed, in a post on the social platform X. The price is worth $6.7 billion and includes 80 support vehicles as well as ammunition and logistics and training packages for the Polish army.

The deal for the K2 main battle tank models, considered some of the most powerful in the world, includes units built in South Korea by defense giant Hyundai Rotem, as well as the establishment of a production line in Poland for a Polish variant, the K2PL. According to the South Korean Defense Acquisition Authority (DAPA), which is responsible for South Korea's international arms sales, sixty of the 180 tanks will be built in Poland.

Delivery of the K2 tanks

The first 30 of the South Korean-produced tanks under the new contract are scheduled to arrive in Poland next year. In 2022, the two countries had already signed a contract for the delivery of 180 K2 tanks. All but about 45 of these tanks have already been delivered, with the rest expected to arrive in Poland by the end of the year, Hyundai Rotem said. This framework contract was considered South Korea's largest overseas defense deal and included a total of 980 K2 tanks, 648 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 48 FA-50 fighter jets.

Arms commitment and support for Ukraine

The Defense Ministry said the armored vehicles will partially replace the Soviet tanks that Poland donated to Ukraine in the fight against Russia. According to a report from the Washington, DC-based Wilson Center, Poland has provided Ukraine with more than 300 tanks as well as over 350 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers.

Concern about security situation and defense strategies

Poland has been facing a tense situation recently as Russia has increased drone attacks on Ukraine. A Russian drone attack on the northwestern Ukrainian city of Lutsk was so intense that Warsaw alerted warplanes as a precautionary measure. Lutsk is about 80 kilometers from the Polish border.

Financing the increase in armaments

An April NATO report cited Poland's efforts to dramatically increase defense spending in the face of the Russian threat. Warsaw's defense spending is expected to rise from 2.7% of GDP in 2022 to an expected 4.7% in 2025. “Of all NATO allies, Poland is the one highest percentage of its GDP on defense,” this report states.

Challenges for Polish defense

The Wilson Center report predicts that Poland has emerged “clearly as Europe’s most capable military power.” But a May report from the RAND think tank raised concerns about financing Poland's defense buildup. Many of its purchases were "financed through direct loans from supplying countries," RAND said, adding: "Should it be impossible to secure such loans, market financing may be too expensive to convert framework agreements into binding contracts." RAND also noted that Poland faces recruiting challenges and needs to increase troop levels by nearly 50% over the next 10 years.

South Korea's role as an arms supplier

Meanwhile, South Korea has become the world's tenth largest arms exporter over the past five years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. During this period, Poland received 46% of South Korea's military exports, followed by the Philippines with 14% and India with 7%, according to the SIPRI report on international defense trade trends 2024.

With the ongoing war in Ukraine and Israel's conflict in the Gaza Strip, U.S. military assistance to these countries has depleted American weapons supplies. South Korea is therefore increasingly seen as an option for US allies in need of weapons. The 2024 report by the Washington-based Stimson Center found that South Korea's weapons industry could potentially play an important role for Washington in the future.

“The capacity of South Korea’s defense industry, particularly in defense and shipbuilding, has the potential to directly support the United States,” the report said.

Additional arms orders and deliveries

In addition to the K2 tanks, South Korea has also delivered 174 K9 self-propelled howitzers to Poland under the 2022 framework contract, of which 38 are yet to be delivered, according to contractor Hanwha Aerospace. A second batch of 152 K9s is already in the works, Hanwha reported. Of the 48 FA-50 jets ordered, only 12 have been delivered so far, according to manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industries.