New Polish admin may drive South Korea to diversify defense exports in Europe: report

This is to ensure the continuity of exports to Poland.

The change in leadership in Poland is expected to drive South Korea to diversify its defense markets in Europe to mitigate the risks of losing a significant portion of Polish contracts, GlobalData said. 

“Poland had previously overturned a deal with Airbus in 2016 after the Law and Justice Party (PiS) was elected to office. As such, the current change of leadership in Poland may have triggered concerns in South Korea over the continuity of these multi-billion-dollar export deals,” Abhijit Apsingikar, Aerospace and Defense Analyst, GlobalData, said.

“However, Poland is unlikely to take a similar step to cancel previously signed procurements, as such a measure could lead to a massive diplomatic fallout, with the potential to endanger other engagements between the two countries, including in areas of industrial cooperation and energy security.”

Under the previous Polish regime, the two countries signed an agreement that included 1,000 K2 Black Panther Main Battle Tanks, along with 672 K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH). 

The agreement, signed in 2022, also included the acquisition of 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft and 212 units of K239 Chunmoo MLRS systems, coupled with 10,000 239mm rockets from South Korea. 

It also provided for a licensing agreement, enabling Poland to manufacture the K239 Chunmoo MLRS system, K2 Black Panther MBT, and Krab SPH domestically.