Poland is returning to tank production after a 25-year hiatus, with the first vehicles expected to roll off assembly lines in 2028. The government makes no secret that the project’s success hinges on foreign interest, as domestic orders alone will not ensure profitability.
For the first time in a quarter of a century, Poland will manufacture tanks domestically. Serial production is scheduled to begin in 2028 under an agreement between Zakłady Mechaniczne Bumar-Łabędy, part of the Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, and South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem, known for the K2 tank.
Return to tank production after 25 years
Under the intergovernmental deal signed in August 2025, a Polish version of the K2PL tank will be built at the Gliwice plant. The first units are slated for 2028. The project encompasses not just assembly but also the transfer of technology and production know-how to Polish facilities.
The contract calls for 64 K2PL tanks in total, with 61 of them manufactured in Poland. According to the „Dziennik Gazeta Prawna” daily, the Polish Army’s needs could far exceed current orders, potentially reaching around a thousand tanks based on the South Korean design.
– The key is to build tanks not only for our own army but also for foreign buyers – said Andrzej Grzyb, chairman of the parliamentary defence committee. He stressed that relying solely on domestic orders would be insufficient to keep the factories running and develop the industry.
Export as the key to profitability
Andrzej Grzyb pointed out that attracting international partners and customers is essential for continuous production and industrial growth. To facilitate this, the government is preparing a new law that would allow arms sales through intergovernmental agreements, bypassing standard public procurement procedures.
– Many countries modernising their armed forces prefer this model of cooperation – Grzyb added. The Ministry of National Defence is responsible for drafting the legislation, which is also set to expand the competencies of the Armament Agency. The work draws on solutions from South Korea and France, where state involvement in arms exports is substantial.
The first Polish-made K2PL tanks are expected to be delivered by 2028, with a ramp-up in production thereafter. The success of the venture will depend on securing export contracts that make the programme economically viable.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/M2M_PL
