Why Poland wants South Korea's K2 Black Panther Main Battle Tank: Last month, writing for the Lexington Institute, Dr. Rebecca L. Grant, reported that Poland likely can't get Western-made tanks fast enough.

"The US-Poland defense partnership is the key to NATO deterrence of Russian aggression. Why? Because Russia is rearming far faster than expected.  The new strategic reality in Europe is that it will take tanks in Poland to stop Russia," Grant explained, adding, "Tanks, of course, are Putin’s top offensive weapon.  Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 with as many as 2,000 tanks, including its most modern T-72 and T-90s.  Despite combat losses, Russia is on track to add 1,200 tanks per year."

The Polish government, even the Polish people in general, has a lot of reasons to distrust Russia.

The two nations share a long and extremely complex relationship, with very little love between Warsaw and Moscow. While it was Poland that was the invader of Russian lands in the Middle Ages, by the 17th century the tables turned and the once mighty Kingdom of Poland was partitioned by the powers of Prussia, the Habsburg monarchy, and the Russian Empire. Much of Poland, including Warsaw, was under Russian control for more than a century, until the nation was restored following the First World War.

It could have been a short-lived independence.

The newly restored nation was soon invaded by the Bolshevik's Red Army, which was only defeated and pushed back during the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, known today as the Miracle on the Vistula. French-made Renault FT tanks played a role in the defense of the Polish capital, and in a potential conflict, it would be Western-made main battle tanks (MBTs) that could again help stop an invasion from the East.

It could also be tanks from South Korea.

The K2 Black Panther is Already in Service

In December 2022, Polish President Andrzej Duda was joined by Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak at an official ceremony to mark the arrival of an initial batch of South Korean military hardware. While taking delivery, the Polish leader hailed the swift implementation of a $5.8 billion deal that had only been signed that past summer.

Duda praised South Korea for being able to quickly respond to Poland's call for hardware to increase its deterrence to Moscow. Per the terms of the 2022 deal, South Korean-based Hyundai Rotem agreed to supply Poland with 180 K2 MBTs by 2025 – along with a training/logistics package along with ammunition for the tanks.

During the second stage of the framework agreement, Warsaw is expected to receive 820 K2PL tanks, which will be manufactured within a framework of the Polish-Korean industrial cooperation, while a broad transfer of technologies is expected to occur.

South Korea's Main Battle Tank – One of the Best

The K2 Black Panther MBT was developed utilizing indigenous technology, and the initial prototype was unveiled in 2007, while production commenced for the first 100 K2 tanks in 2014. It is considered one of the most advanced MBTs in the world, outclassing any tanks in service with North Korea or even China.

The Black Panther relies on both an undisclosed modular composite armor and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks, and according to reports can withstand direct hits to the front from a 120mm tank round. In addition, the K2 also is equipped with an active protection system as well as countermeasure systems that include NBC (nuclear-biological-chemical) protection.

The MBT's main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, produced under license in South Korea and equipped with a domestically-designed automatic loader – which can ensure the loading of projectiles on the move including when on uneven surfaces. The 120mm gun can reportedly fire approximately 10 to 15 rounds per minute. It can be used with a variety of munitions and is compatible with all standard NATO tank rounds. The 120mm L/55 gun is also capable of firing the new KSTAM (Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition) rounds – smart target-activated fire-and-forget projectiles.

Secondary armament of the Black Panther includes a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm machine gun.

South Korea's next-generation tank is equipped with domestically-developed auto-target detection and tracking system, which incorporates a hunter-killer function. The tank also features an electric gun and turret driving system (28-260VDC) provided by Doosan Corporation Mottrol. In addition, the gunner's primary sight (GPS) and commander's panoramic sight (CPS) are stabilized in two axes, and include a thermal imager and laser rangefinder enabling day/night observation.

The K2 has a crew of three members including a commander, a gunner, and a driver.

The K2' Unique Suspension System

While not as speedy as its namesake animal, the South Korean K2 Black Panther can still hunt down its slower-moving prey thanks to its license-built MTU MB 883 Ka501 diesel engine, which produces 1,500 horsepower. It can reach a top speed of 43 mph on the road, and 31 mph cross country. There is also an auxiliary gas-turbine power unit, offering 400 horsepower.

The tank also is equipped with a unique suspension system, which can be contorted into a variety of positions. For cross-country performance, the suspension is raised, providing the K2 greater ground clearance, while on roads, the suspension is lowered, hugging the ground for better speed. In addition, the K2 can "lean," "sit" or "kneel" to provide the main gun better maneuverability in hull-down positions.

When leaning backward, the K2 can raise its main gun to target low-flying aircraft or to better target more highly elevated targets on the Korean Peninsula's hilly terrain, but it would be equally well-suited to Poland. The K2 can lean to the left or the right, which improves maneuverability when driving along slopes.

Though it was designed to counter North Korea, the K2 Black Panther might be enough to deter the "Russian bear" and protect NATO's eastern flank.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].