Warsaw - Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Poland has signed a massive defense deal with South Korea to purchase an additional 180 K2 tanks, worth over €6 billion, as part of a plan to expand its military capabilities. Upon completion of the deal, Poland's inventory will rise to 1,100 tanks, surpassing the combined totals of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
Poland is expected to become one of Europe's largest armored forces by 2030, following the signing of a new agreement with South Korea to purchase an additional 180 K2 tanks, in a deal worth over €6 billion. According to a report published by the European News Network in Brussels on Monday, the deal comes as part of Poland's plan to expand its military capabilities in an unprecedented manner, in light of the repercussions of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing tension on the border with Belarus since 2021. Warsaw is currently the highest-spending NATO country on defense, accounting for 4.7% of GDP. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamisz wrote in a post on the X platform: "A great deal for our homeland's security and for our arms industry." The agreement begins the process of restoring tank production in our country.
The new agreement also includes 81 logistical support vehicles, training and maintenance programs, and a technology transfer clause that will allow for the production of 61 tanks within Poland. This will bring Poland's tank inventory to 1,100, surpassing the combined inventory of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, which currently stands at 950.
After the deal is implemented, Poland will have only two NATO allies: Turkey (2,238 tanks) and Greece (1,344 tanks).
Warsaw began military cooperation with South Korea in 2022, purchasing tanks, K9 howitzers, K239 rocket-propelled grenade systems, and FA-50 light combat aircraft. It also strengthened its cooperation with the United States by purchasing Abrams tanks, Apache helicopters, HIMARS artillery launchers, and Patriot missile defense systems.
At the signing ceremony, Coinciding with the 81st anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, Kosiniak-Kamisz paid tribute to the resistance fighters, saying, "In the name of their memory and heroism, we sign this contract today," adding, "I am very proud of it and happy that together we are building a strong, secure, and prosperous Poland."