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All 180 K2 tanks that Poland has purchased from South Korea will be deployed in north-eastern Poland, close to the border with the Russian Kaliningrad enclave, the defence minister has said.
On Tuesday, Poland received the first consignment of ten K2 tanks and 24 K9 self-propelled howitzers.
Mariusz Błaszczak told a local radio station on Saturday that ultimately all the tanks would be shipped to military units in Morąg, Braniewo and Ostróda.
“It is the target location for those tanks,” the defence minister said, adding that the K2s were designed to operate in muddy, wet, and hilly terrain, which is prevalent in the Polish north-eastern region of Warmia-Mazury.
“It is our priority to strengthen the eastern part of our country,” he said.
In total, Poland plans to purchase up to 1,000 K2 tanks and 672 K9 howitzers from South Korea. Additionally, the country will also buy close to K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers and 48 FA-50 light combat jets.
Warsaw has stepped up its defence purchases after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.