Polish army drops Russian tanks, upgrades firepower with K2 Black Panther
According to the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces on X, soldiers from the 16th Mechanized Division have commenced intensive training on K2 Black Panther tanks. These new machines will replace the post-Soviet T-72 models.
The Polish Army is expanding its fleet with additional K2 Black Panther tanks. The latest delivery arrived in Poland in mid-December. The army now possesses 84 of these units, regarded as among the most advanced in the world.
Modern tanks in the service of the Polish Armed Forces
According to a post by the Polish Armed Forces General Staff, K2 tanks are allocated to the 16th Mechanized Division. These modern Korean machines, manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, are replacing the post-Soviet T-72. Tank crews from the division in question have now commenced "intensive training," as mentioned in the announcement.
The army notes that commanders, gunners, and drivers participate in the course. Training began in mid-January 2025, and demanding theoretical and practical exams are planned for March. The General Staff adds that the tankers are improving their qualifications through activities on K2 tanks, as well as "strengthening the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Polish armed forces."
The K2 tank, produced by the Koreans, is regarded as a technologically advanced construction. Due to its capabilities, the production cost of one unit is estimated at $9 million. However, since the basic version of the K2 was designed for operations on the Korean Peninsula, the tanks for the Polish market have been suitably modified to meet local requirements.
K2 Black Panther tanks
The successors of the post-Soviet T-72 models are equipped with an autoloader that maintains a high rate of fire under all conditions. This design has reduced the number of crew members to three, meaning that the army doesn't need to alter the current crew structure in Polish mechanized divisions.
The K2 Black Panther tanks feature advanced weaponry, including a 120-mm smoothbore gun L/55, compatible with ammunition used under NATO standards. Machine guns of calibres 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm provide additional support. Thanks to powerful engines with up to 1,500 horsepower, these tanks, weighing about 55 tonnes, can reach speeds of around 72 km/h.
