Why Poland Bought 1,000 Korean Tanks Instead of German Leopards
Poland just made the biggest tank deal in European history – and they didn’t buy from Germany.
In 2022, Poland ordered 1,000 K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea. The first batch arrived in 16 weeks. When they asked Germany for Leopard 2s, they were quoted 8-10 years.
This video breaks down exactly why Poland chose Korea over Europe, how much faster Korean production actually is, and what this means for NATO’s eastern flank.
The numbers are wild. Germany currently operates 296 tanks. Poland is building toward 1,688 by 2030. That’s more than Germany, France, the UK, and Italy combined.
I cover the K2 vs Leopard 2 technical comparison, the production speed difference (10 tanks per month vs 3.4), the cost breakdown, and the industrial deal Poland negotiated that Germany wouldn’t offer.
Also looking at why this matters – Poland shares an 800km border with Russia and Belarus. After Ukraine, they needed armor fast. Europe couldn’t deliver. Korea could.
Timeline breakdown:
Feb 2022: Ukraine invasion
Aug 2022: Poland signs $3.4B contract
Dec 2022: First 10 tanks delivered (16 weeks later)
Aug 2024: Second contract for 180 more tanks ($6.5B)
If you’re into defense procurement, European security, or just want to understand why countries are turning to Asian manufacturers, this one’s worth watching.
Credit to : DefenceEU