Polish Defense Minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, has announced that the power of new weapons purchased from South Korea will be demonstrated in a joint military exercise near the border with Russia in September. During a press conference with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jong-sup, Blaszczak revealed that plans to produce South Korean weapons on-site in Poland are progressing smoothly.
This production plan was discussed following talks between the two officials and is part of the second phase of the military cooperation between the two nations. Poland has already invested billions of dollars in buying arms from South Korea, including Korean K2 tanks, Thunder K9 howitzers, FA-50 training and combat fighter jets, and K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery systems. Some early deliveries of these weapons were showcased in a military parade in mid-August.
The Polish Defense Minister highlighted that the weapons will be presented to the public again in September during a joint Polish-Korean military exercise called ‘Autumn Fire’. The exercise, set to take place in the city of Orzysz, located approximately 60 km from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, will involve around 1,000 troops and 70 pieces of military equipment. In addition to the exercise, there will be a static exhibition displaying the army’s equipment, including the weapons purchased from foreign countries.
Poland’s decision to purchase new weapons comes as many European states, including Poland, have depleted their armament stockpiles in order to support the Ukrainian army in its conflict with Russia. As a result, these countries are now seeking to replace their depleted military hardware. Although South Korea has not provided military aid to Ukraine, it has been promoting its weapons to other European buyers.
The arms deal between South Korea and Poland, signed last year, is valued at $13.7 billion, making it the largest in South Korea’s history. As part of this deal, Poland aims to have the K2 tanks and K9 howitzers manufactured within its own borders.
In a separate development, Poland, along with the Baltic states, recently called on Belarus to expel the troops of the private military company Wagner Group, which had been hosted by Belarus two months ago. In response, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko criticized these nations for deploying foreign troops on their territory and deemed their demands as “unreasonable and stupid.”
The joint military exercise and planned on-site production of South Korean weapons in Poland not only demonstrate the strengthening military cooperation between the two nations but also highlight Poland’s determination to modernize and enhance its defense capabilities. As Poland continues to replace its depleted armament stockpiles, it seeks to ensure its readiness in the face of any potential threats.
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