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

WARSAW, July 22 (Reuters) – Poland will buy 48 FA-50 fighter jets, a first tranche of 180 K2 Black Panther tanks and howitzers from South Korea, Warsaw’s defense minister said on Friday, as the country strengthens its army because of the war in Ukraine.

The February 24 invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”, has raised security fears among many former Eastern Bloc countries, and NATO member Poland has committed to increasing defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) and more than double. the size of his army to deter any attack.

“This year the first units will be delivered and in total there will be 180 tanks (K2 Black Panther) in the first order; eventually these tanks will be produced in Poland,” Mariusz Blaszczak said in an excerpt from an interview with the weekly curator 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, or 48 aircraft,” Blaszczak said. “The first aircraft will 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

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