Poland and South Korea have signed an agreement to develop and manufacture a tank, the K2PL, for the Polish army. The K2PL will be built based on one of the best tanks in the world – the K2 Black Panther.
The agreement was signed during the Eurosatory international defense and security exhibition in Paris, France. The signing of the agreement was officially announced by Poland’s Head of the Ministry of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak. The document was signed by the Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem and the Polish manufacturer Polską Grupą Zbrojeniową (PGZ).
PGZ has extensive experience in the production of all armored combat vehicles, including tanks. It will receive a transfer of production technology, allowing it to master the development and production of key elements for the tank. Furthermore, Poland has also shown readiness to purchase existing K2 Black Panther tanks to increase its combat capability.
According to sources, Poland will “acquire a certain number of K2”;specific numbers have not been disclosed.
Currently, there is no specific information in the public domain as to how the tank will look, and as to what will be its different features and elements to meet Poland’s needs.
However, photos have been shared on social media claiming to be the design of K2PL. According to them, the Polish-Korean tank will have a 7th wheel in the wheel mechanism, which will make the K2PL longer than the usual length for the main battle tank. It is also rumored that it will receive a new turret design, and that the distribution of ammunition will be improved.
Its main armament is likely to consist of a Hyundai WIA CN08 120 mm 55 caliber smoothbore gun, while its secondary armament is likely to consist of a 12.7 × 99mm (.50 BMG) K6 heavy machine gun and 7.62 × 51mm NATO coaxial machine gun.
The K2PL is likely to be powered by a Korea’s Hyundai Doosan Infracore DV27K 4-long stroke, 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine with a dry weight of 2550 kg. This engine provides a 1,500 horsepower, which is close to 27 horsepower per ton.
On a single full tank, the K2PL can travel a distance of 450 km. It is likely to have a maximum speed of 70 kmph on a tar road; in difficult off-road terrain, it is likely to have a speed of 30 to 50 kmph.
