Hyundai Rotem's 'First' Export of K2 Tanks to Poland... Worth 4.4992 Trillion KRW

Contract Signed for First Batch of 180 K2 Tanks Delivered... Total 180 Units

K2 tank image cut. [Photo by Hyundai Rotem]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Yeju] South Korea's main battle tank, the K2 tank, has successfully made its first overseas export.

Hyundai Rotem announced on the 29th that it signed an export contract worth 4.4992 trillion KRW with the Polish Armaments Agency at a military base in the Mor?g region of Poland. This amount corresponds to 156.6% of Hyundai Rotem's recent sales revenue.

This contract is an execution agreement for the basic contract signed with Poland in July for the export of 1,000 K2 tanks, detailing the terms for the first urgent delivery of 180 units.

This K2 tank export marks the first case of exporting fully assembled tanks from South Korea, internationally recognizing the technological capability and quality of domestic tanks. The K2 tank's first overseas entry is expected to have a positive impact on future expansion into other countries.

The first export is evaluated to have been greatly supported by the domestic government's defense sales diplomacy. In June, President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit and held a summit meeting with Poland, discussing cooperation in the defense sector. In May, Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop held talks with Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, who visited South Korea, announcing strengthened cooperation between the two countries in defense and defense industry sectors. At that time, Minister Błaszczak visited domestic defense companies including Hyundai Rotem's Changwon plant, showing interest in Korean-made weapons.

Additionally, the support and cooperation of the Army, which actually operates the tanks, are also analyzed to have been the foundation for the K2 tank's historic first export. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) directly visited Poland to discuss export plans for the K2 tank while conducting sales activities for Korean-made weapons.

Hyundai Rotem has decided to expand new hires related to defense industry personnel to meet the Polish export volume. Currently, Hyundai Rotem is continuously producing the third batch of K2 tanks for the South Korean military. With the addition of the Polish export volume, there is a need to expand production capacity. Additional new hires will be expanded according to future plans.

A Hyundai Rotem official said, "This K2 tank export is the first case of tank exports from South Korea, providing an opportunity to internationally recognize the excellence of the Korean military's main battle tank and is expected to serve as a foundation for South Korea to leap forward as a global defense export country."