Poland seeks Korean technical cooperation in domestic IFV deal

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Poland seeks Korean technical cooperation in domestic IFV deal

Published: 09 Mar. 2023, 18:01

Hanwha Defense's next-generation Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) on display at the base of the Korean Army's 11th Division in Chuncheon, Gangwon in May last year. [HANWHA DEFENSE]

Poland is seeking technical cooperation with Korea related to the acquisition of a domestic amphibious infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), sources said Thursday.

According to an industry source who spoke on condition of anonymity, Warsaw is currently engaged in talks to gain Seoul’s cooperation in the acquisition approximately 1,400 new domestic Borsuk IFVs.

The source did not say what sort of cooperation was being discussed or how it related to the purchase of Polish-made equipment.

Talks between the two countries represent a continuation of discussions that took place during Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup’s visit to Warsaw last month to bolster defense cooperation, the source added.

The Polish IFV project is the largest projected military project in the country’s history. It is aimed at replacing 1,000 Soviet-era BWP-1 IFVs that the Polish military acquired in the 1970s and 1980s, with Warsaw eyeing a delivery between 2024 and 2025.

The Borsuk is an amphibious IFV produced by Huta Stalowa Wola, a subsidiary of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), a Polish weapons manufacturer.

The military plans to introduce 1,000 amphibious IFVs, as well as reconnaissance and medical rescue variants, through the project.

According to an unnamed Korean military source cited by Yonhap, the Polish government plans to operate the new IFVs alongside Hyundai Rotem’s K-2 Black Panther battle tanks, which it purchased last year.

The source also said Korea is expected to help increase interoperability between weapons systems through technical cooperation and production support as the country has exported several weapons systems to Poland.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said last year that he would also consider acquiring Hanwha Defense’s 40-ton K-21 Redback IFV as a complement to the lighter 28-ton Borsuk.

Poland previously said it plans to develop a heavier version of the Borsuk.

The country emerged a major buyer of Korean weapons systems when it signed a $5.78 billion contract for K-2 battle tanks, K-9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 light attack aircraft from Korea in August last year.

The first batch of 10 K-2 tanks and 24 K-9 howitzers was delivered to Poland in December last year.

Poland has also provided weapons with Korean components to Ukraine with Seoul’s approval, Reuters reported yesterday.

According to the report, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's (DAPA) technology control bureau reviewed and granted an export license allowing the transfer of the Krab howitzer’s Korean-made chassis.

Huta Stalowa Wola is the manufacturer of the AHS Krab howitzer, which combines a British AS-90M Braveheart turret with a 155mm 52-calibre gun and WB Electronics' Topaz artillery fire control system with the K-9 Thunder’s chassis, or load-bearing vehicle frame.

Warsaw sent 18 Krabs to Kyiv in May last year, and the two countries have signed orders for more amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]