South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem is moving to deliver 180 K2 tanks to Poland in a second export deal, with the upgraded K2PL version set to feature a fully Korean-made power pack — replacing the German transmission previously used — and a suite of advanced combat systems, including a drone jamming capability.
The power pack, combining the engine and transmission, is considered the heart of a main battle tank. Hyundai Rotem officials said the move to localize the system will strengthen supply chain resilience and simplify maintenance.
In an Aug. 8 interview with Polish defense outlet Defence24, Seo Jun-mo, managing director of Hyundai Rotem’s Europe Defense Division, said the K2PL will initially use a Korean engine and German transmission — similar to Poland’s existing K2 “gap filler” tanks — but follow-on agreements could see both components produced in South Korea.
The K2’s engine has been locally produced for years, but reliance on German transmissions had left it short of being fully indigenous. Hyundai Rotem’s push for a complete Korean power pack mirrors the setup already in use on Turkey’s Altay tank, which uses a 1,500-horsepower HD Hyundai Infracore engine paired with an SNT Dynamics automatic transmission.
Beyond the power pack, the K2PL will see significant capability upgrades, Seo said, including an active protection system, remote-controlled weapon station, 360-degree situational awareness suite, and — for the first time on any tank — an integrated drone jamming system.
Armor protection is also being enhanced through a redesigned internal structure, while crew comfort will improve with expanded interior space. Despite a weight increase of several tons, mobility is expected to remain at 99% of the original K2’s performance.
The K2PL will be able to fire both Korean-made ammunition and standard NATO rounds from suppliers including the United States and Germany.
Local production will take place at Bumar-Łabędy, a subsidiary of Polish state defense group PGZ, under a technology transfer deal that covers production setup, scope, and timeline. Hyundai Rotem will continue providing maintenance support until Poland’s own MRO facility is operational.
The $6.6 billion deal covers 180 tanks, with 116 K2GFs to be built in South Korea and 64 K2PLs to be produced locally in Poland.
