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Hyundai Rotem shows Poland-specific K2PL tank for the first time at MSPO 2026
Defense Mobility

Hyundai Rotem shows Poland-specific K2PL tank for the first time at MSPO 2026

By Heavy-shift 3 min read
Hyundai Rotem shows Poland-specific K2PL tank for the first time at MSPO 2026
Hyundai Rotem shows Poland-specific K2PL tank for the first time at MSPO 2026

Hyundai Rotem shows Poland-specific K2PL tank for the first time at MSPO 2026

Hyundai Rotem has unveiled the K2PL, its Poland-specific variant of the K2 main battle tank, for the first time at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland. Fitted with mission equipment developed by Polish defence companies, the tank is presented as a milestone in the localization of the K2 programme, which is set to move to Polish final assembly under the country's second K2 contract.

The 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) runs from 8 to 11 September at Targi Kielce and is the largest defence trade fair in Central and Eastern Europe; last year's edition drew 811 companies from 35 countries. Hyundai Rotem is attending for the fifth consecutive year and operates the largest booth among South Korean defence exhibitors, with a dedicated "K2PL Zone" showing the Polish-configured tank alongside bridge-laying, combat engineering and recovery variants.

Polish mission equipment in focus

The K2PL is being developed with an active protection system (APS) intended to counter anti-tank guided missiles and drone threats, a drone jammer and a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS), reflecting lessons learned from the K2GF tanks currently being delivered to Poland. In another first for the show, the tank carries the Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) made by Polish company Miranda — a cover that stays on the vehicle during movement and combat and reduces the risk of detection by night-vision and thermal-imaging sensors. Hyundai Rotem presents the MCS fitted to a K2GF, the K2 version now in delivery to the Polish Army.

The exhibition also marks the debut of a Poland-specific armoured vehicle-launched bridge developed jointly with Polish firm Obrum, equipped with bridge mission hardware tailored for the Polish battlefield. The wider display includes a model of the HR-Sherpa multipurpose unmanned ground vehicle armed with an RCWS from Polish contractor ZMT, and a 30-tonne class wheeled armoured vehicle carrying an unmanned turret with a multi-layered counter-UAS (C-UAS) capability.

Second contract moving to Polish production

The unveiling comes as Hyundai Rotem prepares to deliver on the second executive contract with Poland's Armament Agency, signed on 1 August 2025 and valued at about USD 6.5 billion. The agreement covers 180 K2 tanks: 116 in the current K2GF configuration, to be delivered in 2026–2027, and 64 in K2PL standard between 2028 and 2030. The first three K2PLs will be built in South Korea; the remaining 61 will undergo final assembly at Bumar-Łabędy in Gliwice, part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), using tooling and production equipment supplied by Hyundai Rotem. The contract also includes 81 support vehicles based on the K2 chassis — 31 armoured recovery vehicles, 25 engineering vehicles and 25 assault bridge systems — scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031.

Localization work has continued since the contract was signed. In April, Hyundai Rotem signed a cooperation agreement with PGZ-owned Bumar-Łabędy covering local production and maintenance of the K2PL and its recovery variant.

"The Poland-specific K2 tank is a symbolic outcome that brings together the technologies of partner companies in both countries, and it will play an important role in developing the defence ecosystems of the two nations," a Hyundai Rotem official said. "We will carry out local production without disruption and contribute to maintaining peace in Poland."

Sources

Defense Mobility Contracts & Orders