Although at government level Poland agreed on South Korean K2 tank localization, implementation details sparked disputes between parties.
Rzeczpospolita reports this citing own sources. As Polish PGZ claims, one of problems is engine maintenance, which South Korean defense ministry representatives want to deploy at Bumarem-Łabędy mechanical plant, rather than Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne, as Poles recommend.
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It is noted South Korean Hanwha Systems quarreled with Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne. This is caused by both previous conflicts and fact that Polish enterprise does not allow Koreans onto its territory and refuses to provide infrastructure cost data.
Also Poles consider work mastering costs will be too high, due to which several enterprises consider possibility of refusing project participation. At same time, during negotiations on this question South Korean representatives proved not very flexible.
Among other problems mentioned is South Korea reluctantly shares technologies, while part of needed documentation is currently only in Korean language. At same time, Poles consider information protection requirements too general.
As result, concern arises about possible K2PL production localization delay, which should begin producing tanks already in 2028. At same time, currently both sides officially maintain position everything proceeds according to plan.
Defense Express notes this well demonstrates complexities of modern weapons and military equipment production localization. Even when government-level agreements exist, project detail implementation may spark disputes that can affect project implementation schedule.
Worth recalling when Poland purchased first K2s in 2022, local production was planned to begin already in 2026. However over time these timelines shifted to 2028 due to local industry condition and project changes.
Back in early August 2025, Poles signed contract for second batch of 180 South Korean tanks. First 116 go in K2GF version, already in Polish Armed Forces service and manufactured at South Korean enterprises having high output rates.
Regarding remaining 64 vehicles, they will be in Polish K2PL version, where only first 3 tanks will be manufactured in South Korea, while remainder will be made already in Poland. Therefore additional localization delays may undermine current contract delivery schedule.
Recall this year information appeared that engines of already-delivered K2 tanks to Polish Armed Forces supposedly have technical problems and break down. Nothing is known precisely about this, but such factor may also influence negotiation course.
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