Poland Receives First 28 K2 Tanks Under Second Contract

Poland has received the first 28 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks delivered under its second executive contract with South Korea's Hyundai Rotem, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on August 25. The delivery raises Poland's K2GF fleet to 208 tanks and begins implementation of a $6.5 billion contract that will eventually introduce the locally adapted K2PL variant.

The 28 newly delivered K2GF tanks will enter service with the Polish Army's 16th Mechanized Division. Poland completed deliveries of the initial 180 K2GF tanks ordered under its first executive contract in November 2025.

Second K2 contract covers 180 tanks and 81 support vehicles

Poland signed the second executive contract with Hyundai Rotem on August 1, 2025. The agreement covers another 180 K2 main battle tanks, including 116 in the existing K2GF configuration and 64 in the Polish K2PL configuration.

The contract is valued at approximately $6.5 billion and also includes 81 support vehicles based on the K2 chassis. These comprise 31 armored recovery vehicles, 25 armored engineering vehicles and 25 armored vehicle-launched bridges.

Under the delivery schedule, the 116 K2GF tanks are due in 2026 and 2027. Deliveries of the 64 K2PL tanks are scheduled between 2028 and 2030, while the support vehicles are expected between 2029 and 2031.

The package also includes ammunition, logistics support, spare parts, maintenance equipment, technical documentation and training for Polish crews and technical personnel.

Poland prepares domestic K2PL production

The second contract marks a transition from Poland's initial rapid acquisition of South Korean-built K2 tanks toward domestic production and industrial participation.

Hyundai Rotem and Zakłady Mechaniczne Bumar-Łabędy signed agreements in April 2026 covering assembly, servicing and localization of the K2 program in Poland. Polish defense companies PCO and Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne are also participating in the industrial arrangements.

Of the 64 K2PL tanks ordered under the second contract, the first three will be manufactured in South Korea and used to validate modifications from the K2GF configuration. Final assembly of the remaining 61 K2PL tanks is planned at Bumar-Łabędy in Poland.

The K2PL configuration is being adapted to Polish operational requirements. The program also gives Poland a path to rebuild domestic industrial capabilities for tank assembly, maintenance and lifecycle support.

K2 deliveries expand Poland's armored fleet

The arrival of another 28 K2 tanks continues one of Europe's largest armored force modernization programs.

Poland initially ordered 180 K2 tanks in August 2022 as part of a rapid procurement effort following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Poland's transfer of military equipment to Kyiv. Those tanks were supplied directly from South Korea in the K2GF configuration.

With the August 25 delivery, the Polish Army now has 208 K2GF tanks. Completion of the remaining K2GF deliveries under the second contract would bring that number to 296 before the K2PL fleet begins entering service.

The broader framework agreement between Poland and Hyundai Rotem envisages the acquisition of up to 1,000 K2-family tanks. Further executive contracts would be required to move beyond the 360 tanks currently covered by signed procurement agreements.

How many K2 tanks does Poland have?

Poland has received 208 K2GF main battle tanks as of August 25, 2026. The figure consists of 180 tanks from the first executive contract and the first 28 delivered under the second contract.

How many additional K2 tanks has Poland ordered?

The second executive contract covers 180 tanks, including 116 K2GF and 64 K2PL vehicles. Combined with the first contract, Poland has placed firm orders for 360 K2 tanks.

When will Poland receive the K2PL?

Deliveries of the 64 K2PL tanks are scheduled between 2028 and 2030. The first three will be manufactured in South Korea, while final assembly of the remaining 61 is planned in Poland.

Who manufactures the K2 tank?

The K2 Black Panther is manufactured by South Korea's Hyundai Rotem. Poland is establishing domestic K2PL assembly and support capabilities through cooperation involving Hyundai Rotem, Bumar-Łabędy and other Polish defense companies.