Poland to buy jets, tanks and howitzers from South Korea, says minister

Korea Aerospace Industries

22/07/2022 08:36

WARSAW, July 22 (Reuters) - Poland will buy 48 FA-50 fighter
jets, a first instalment of  180 K2 Black Panther tanks and
howitzers from South Korea, Warsaw's defence minister was quoted
as saying on Friday, as the country strengthens its army because
of the war in Ukraine.
    The Feb. 24 invasion, which Moscow calls a "special military
operation" has raised security fears among many former eastern
bloc countries, and NATO member Poland has vowed to boost
defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) and more
than double the size of its army to deter any attacks.
    "This year, the first units will be delivered and in total
there will be 180 (K2 Black Panther) tanks in the first order;
ultimately, these tanks will be produced in Poland," Mariusz
Blaszczak said in an extract from an interview with conservative
weekly Sieci published online.
    Blaszczak said Poland would also buy howitzers and FA-50
fighter jets from South Korea.
    "We are interested in purchasing three squadrons, that is 48
aircraft," Blaszczak said. "The first aircraft would be
delivered to Poland next year."
    The K2 Black Panther tank is made by Hyundai Rotem
 064350.KS . The FA-50 fighter jet is produced by Korea
Aerospace Industries (KAI)  047810.KS .

 (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Koper; Editing by Clarence
Fernandez)
 ((alan.charlish@thomsonreuters.com;))