We're getting stronger! Another 20 K2 Black Panther tanks for the 16th Mechanized Division have just reached Poland – Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said. This is the last batch foreseen in the first executive agreement, which assumed to deliver 180 South Korean K2GF tanks before the end of 2025.
Equipment of the Polish army in 180 K2 Black Panther tanks is only the beginning of modernization of armored troops, and in peculiar units of the 16th Mechanized Division. The Black Panthers have already benefited, among others, from the Battleships of the 9th Braniewska Armored Cavalry Brigade, the 15th Giżycka Mechanized Brigade and the 20th Bartoszzka Mechanized Brigade. – From next year we start with the implementation of the next tranche – from the fresh contract signed in August this year. Among them will besides be tanks already manufactured in Poland – reminded national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
K2 Black Panther were bought in 2022, and the then-signed executive contract assumed to deliver 180 tanks before the end of 2025. 3 months ago, in the presence of defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish, signed Second Implementation Agreement on Black Panthers. Under its power, the military will receive another 180 K2 tanks. These will primarily be K2GF machines manufactured in South Korea. 116 specified tanks will arrive in Poland in the next 2 years. The remaining 64 will be built in the K2PL variant.
Final assembly of 61 tanks will take place (until 2030) in the Mechanical Plant ‘Bumar-Łabada’. The K2PL version will disagree from K2GF, among others, with active tank protection system, anti-drone strategy and reinforced armor.
K2 Black Panther is simply a tank equipped with a 120 mm smooth barrel cannon, automatic charging strategy and integrated fire control system. The auxiliary armament of the 55-ton car is simply a 7.62 mm device weapon and a large caliber device weapon (WKM) 12.7 mm. The South Korean tank has a 1,500 hp diesel engine with automatic transmission, a hydropneumatic suspension strategy (ISU) and a dynamic track tension strategy (DTTS).
In 16 DZ units regular training of K2 crews: commanders, drivers and gunmen takes place. The Braniewa battleships late completed the 4th course this year conducted in the brigade, topped with a combat shooting at the camp in Orzysz.