South Korea to sign $6 billion K2 tank export deal next month

It was revealed on the 9th that South Korea is expected to sign a second export contract for K2 Black Panther tanks to Poland worth $6 billion (approximately 888 billion yen) as early as next month.
The second export contract for the K2 tanks to Poland, similar to the first contract signed in August 2022, is for 180 tanks and is reportedly worth $6 billion.
The contract was expected to be concluded within last year, but was delayed due to internal circumstances in Poland and the state of emergency that was imposed on December 3. A South Korean government official said, "The second Polish shipment of K2 tanks is
"We expect to be able to conclude an export contract for the tanks within the next month," he said. With this contract, Poland is moving ahead with a plan to procure 180 K2 tanks using a combination of direct purchase and local production.
However, there were differences of opinion between the Polish public enterprise in charge of local production and the government over the delivery price and delivery date, which delayed the conclusion of the contract, but the two parties have recently reportedly almost reached an agreement.
The Polish side also wanted the South Korean defense minister to visit Poland and attend an event related to the second contract, but due to the state of emergency, the Ministry of Defense decided not to send Kim Seon Ho.
However, Poland has recently informed Korea that it will be possible to conclude a contract without the defense minister attending an event.
The basic agreement for the export of large-scale arms to Poland was signed in July 2022. In August of that year, a one-time contract worth $12.4 billion was signed.
The signing of the second contract was given priority. This first contract includes plans to supply 180 K2 tanks, 212 K-9 self-propelled guns, and 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft.
After that, individual contracts based on the second contract will be completed in sequence, starting with 152 K-9 self-propelled guns from Hanwha Aerospace in December 2023.
If the export contract for the K2 tanks, which is expected to be the largest of the second export contracts, is finally concluded, defense industrial cooperation with Poland is expected to accelerate further.