Poland receives its first ten K2 Black Panther: this is how these advanced battle tanks are

@DefAviation ES 10·21·2022 · 20:53 0

This week, the Polish Army became the first NATO user to receive tanks made in an Asian country.

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This Wednesday, the Hyundai Rotem Company factory in Changwon, South Korea, was the scene of the official delivery to Poland of the first ten K2 Black Panther battle tanks and the first 24 K9 self-propelled howitzers acquired by the Polish Army . Here you can see the video of the delivery ceremony, published by Yonhapnews:

At the end of July, the Polish Defense Minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, signed the contracts for the purchase of new weapons systems from South Korea. The contract includes 1,000 K2 Black Panther battle tanks, which will be distributed in two batches: the first will consist of 180 K2s already manufactured by South Korea, and 820 K2PL, whose production will start in Poland in 2026 and which, unlike the original K2, will have seven wheels in contact with the ground instead of six.

The K2 Black Panther is one of the most advanced tanks on the market. It is equipped with a 120 mm cannon with a capacity for 40 shells and can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h. It has a range of 450 km and a weight of 55 tons. It has an automatic loader, so it has 3 crew members (commander, gunner and driver).

One of the main advantages of the K2 is the KSTAM, a type of intelligent ammunition exclusive to this tank and whose characteristics are secret. In addition, the K2 also has composite reactive armor, with some secret characteristics (although it is said that it is capable of minimizing hits with 120mm shells).

The first ten vehicles delivered to Poland wear the classic three-color NATO camouflage (black, olive green and brown), which is currently used by the different models of active combat tanks in the Polish Army. With this purchase,Poland becomes the first export customer of the K2, since until now it was only in the hands of the Army of the Republic of Korea.

As for the K9 Thunder, Poland has bought 600 of these self-propelled howitzers, with delivery of the first 48 scheduled for this year. The first 24 have been delivered with the MERDC camouflage used by the Republic of Korea Army, a camouflage scheme made up of four colors: green, black, brown and sand. It is a camouflage introduced in the 1970s by the US Army.

After receiving the initial 48 K9 Thunder, the forecasts are that the remaining self-propelled howitzers will be delivered in two batches: the first will begin deliveries in 2024 with vehicles manufactured in South Korea, and the second will begin in 2026 with vehicles manufactured in Poland under license.

The K9 Thunder has a 155 mm cannon and can carry a total of 48 projectiles. It moves on tracks and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 67 km/h, with a range of 360 km. They have an artillery range of up to 54 km with the most advanced munitions available today, and South Korea is currently evaluating an upgraded version that could hit targets out to 100 km.

Poland is already manufacturing the AHS Krab self-propelled howitzers, which combine the K9 chassis with the British AS-90M Braveheart turret, and the forecast is that it will continue to be manufactured. Poland donated 18 AHS Krab to Ukraine and closed a contract for the sale of others to the Ukrainian Army.

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Photos: Korea Defense Blog.