{"id":2205175,"date":"2024-05-20T17:01:22","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T08:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205175"},"modified":"2024-05-21T17:53:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T08:53:08","slug":"south-korean-arms-deals-at-risk-as-poland-struggles-to-secure-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/05\/south-korean-arms-deals-at-risk-as-poland-struggles-to-secure-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korean arms deals at risk as Poland struggles to secure funding"},"content":{"rendered":"
Poland’s military modernization plans, which include significant arms deals with South Korean defense contractors, face substantial risks due to funding challenges and potential delays in the \u201cPolonization\u201d of equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the country\u2019s commitment to reaching a defense spending target of <\/span>3.1%<\/span><\/a> of its gross domestic product by 2024, surpassing the 2% goal set by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states, the current Polish government must address the lack of clarity surrounding the funding of these purchases.<\/span><\/p>\n The previous government signed arms deals worth up to $13.7 billion with South Korean defense contractors, earning Warsaw the title of a \u201c<\/span>defense colossus<\/span><\/a>\u201d from commentators who view Polish military modernization as a model for other European NATO members increasing their defense spending following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/span><\/p>\n Although Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has continued negotiations to finance the agreements and explore further deals, a review conducted shortly after Tusk assumed office revealed a lack of clarity regarding how the previous government intended to fund these purchases.<\/span><\/p>\n RAPID MILITARY MODERNIZATION<\/b><\/p>\n \u200b\u200bPoland had already initiated a significant modernization of its military before Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022. However, the invasion prompted the Law and Justice Party government to dramatically accelerate the pace of military purchases.<\/span><\/p>\n In March 2022, Warsaw passed the <\/span>Homeland Defense Act<\/span><\/a>, which mandated spending a minimum of 2.2% of GDP on the military that year and 3% in subsequent years.<\/span><\/p>\n Poland\u2019s military modernization plan included purchasing Korean K2 main battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo multiple rocket launch systems, and FA-50 light combat aircraft. Poland also placed additional orders for U.S. armor and surface-to-air missile systems and U.K. frigates.<\/span><\/p>\n The South Korean deals stood out not only for their unprecedented value but also for the remarkably short delivery timelines. In some instances, equipment originally intended for the South Korean military was redirected to meet the Polish orders.<\/span><\/p>\n The Polish government also asserted that while the initial deliveries would adhere to South Korean military specifications, Polish defense contractors would supply a larger share of components and systems \u2014 a process termed \u201cPolonization.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n For instance, Warsaw projected that Polish assembly lines would commence supplying <\/span>K2 and K9 components<\/span><\/a> by 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n