Poland is set to resume tank production after a 25-year hiatus, with the first vehicles expected to roll off assembly lines in 2028. The government has made it clear, however, that the project’s success hinges on securing foreign buyers, as orders from the Polish military alone will not make the venture profitable.
The revival of Poland’s tank manufacturing capabilities is a key element of the country’s military modernization. A crucial step was the signing of an agreement between Zakłady Mechaniczne Bumar-Łabędy, part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem, the manufacturer of the K2 tank.
Under an intergovernmental deal concluded in August 2025, production of a Polish variant of the K2, designated the K2PL, will begin at the Gliwice plant. The first units are slated for 2028. The project includes not only assembly but also technology transfer and the development of local manufacturing competencies.
Domestic demand insufficient for long-term production
The contract currently covers 64 K2PL tanks, of which 61 will be built in Poland. According to „Dziennik Gazeta Prawna”, the Polish Army’s needs could be far greater, potentially reaching around 1,000 tanks based on the Korean design in the coming years.
Andrzej Grzyb, chairman of the parliamentary defense committee, confirmed these plans. He emphasized that domestic factories should produce tanks not only for Poland but also for international customers.
– Maintaining production solely through domestic orders would be insufficient – said Andrzej Grzyb. – To ensure the continuity of factory operations and industrial development, it is necessary to attract partners and clients interested in purchasing Polish tanks.
New legislation to boost export sales
To facilitate these plans, a new law is being prepared that would allow arms sales through intergovernmental agreements, bypassing standard public procurement procedures. According to Grzyb, many countries modernizing their armed forces prefer this model.
The Ministry of National Defense is responsible for drafting the new regulations. The project also aims to expand the powers of the Armaments Agency. As reported by „Dziennik Gazeta Prawna”, the work involves analyzing solutions used in South Korea and France, where the state plays a significant role in arms exports.
The return to tank production marks a strategic shift for Poland’s defense industry. With the right export framework, the country hopes to become a significant player in the global armored vehicle market.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/M2M_PL
