Initial K9 Howitzers, K2 Tanks Arrive From S. Korea

Poland has taken delivery of an initial batch of self-propelled howitzers and main battle tanks procured from South Korea, reports Defence 24 (Warsaw).

On Tuesday, the first 24 K9A1 howitzers and 10 K2 tanks were delivered at the Polish port of Gdynia.

Poland is modernizing its armed forces with significant arms purchases from South Korea, including K9s, K2s and FA-50 light attack jets in part to replace numerous systems, such as T-72 and PT-91 tanks and Krab and Gozdzik howitzers, transferred to Ukraine.

Warsaw plans to acquire 1,000 K2 tanks, with the first 180 to be delivered by 2025. The balance will be produced domestically.

Poland has also ordered 212 of a planned fleet of 672 K9A1/K9PL howitzers to be delivered by 2026. The remainder will also be manufactured domestically.

The first 24 K9s are slated to be fielded by the 11th "Mazurski" Artillery Regiment by the end of the year.

The howitzers will be integrated with Polish command-and-control systems and the Topaz fire-control system, the news site said.