Korea-Poland Defense Ministers Hold Video Conference... "Promise Smooth Execution of Weapon Supply Contract"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop and Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak promised smooth implementation of large-scale arms export and import contracts through a video conference.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 19th, Minister Lee and Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak stated that cooperation in the defense industry sector between the two countries is proceeding smoothly and agreed to continuously expand the scope of cooperation in the future. The meeting, held five months after Błaszczak's visit to Korea in May, was evaluated as a reflection of the close cooperative relationship between the defense authorities of the two countries.

They assessed that defense cooperation for the modernization and power enhancement of the Polish military is mutually beneficial for both countries, and agreed to cooperate to ensure the proper implementation of export contracts for the K2 tank, K-9 self-propelled howitzer, and FA-50 light attack aircraft.

Minister Lee anticipated that the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system master contract would elevate defense cooperation with Poland to a higher level. Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak, based on trust in Korean weapon systems, stated that various contracts including Chunmoo have been signed and welcomed Korea's promise to support contract implementation. They agreed to expand defense cooperation and comprehensive exchanges including military education and training between the two countries' armed forces.

Defense companies Hanwha Defense and Hyundai Rotem began delivering the K-9 self-propelled howitzers and K2 tanks contracted with Poland on the same day. An initial shipment of 24 K-9 self-propelled howitzers and 10 K2 tanks was dispatched.

Hanwha Defense signed a contract at the Ministry of National Defense building in Warsaw, Poland, to supply 288 K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems to the Polish military. The contract is estimated to be worth over $6 billion (approximately 8.5 trillion KRW).

Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak was scheduled to revisit Korea to hold the Chunmoo contract ceremony, but canceled the visit just before departure after failing to obtain approval for his special aircraft to pass through Chinese airspace.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.