Poland bolsters defenses with K2 Black Panther tank arrival
In recent days, the 9th Armoured Cavalry Brigade in Braniewo's arsenal has been bolstered with the arrival of the first seven K2 Black Panther tanks. The military has now released a video demonstrating the challenging operation of transporting these machines.
The newly delivered K2 tanks from South Korea are crucial for rearming the 9th Armoured Cavalry Brigade based in Braniewo, which previously utilized Polish PT-91 Twardy tanks. The previously used tanks are likely destined for units that had earlier transferred this type of equipment to Ukraine. However, the military has not disclosed where exactly the PT-91s will be deployed.
The military released a video of the tank transport process
The new K2s from Korea have already reached Braniewo, but local soldiers shared a video online illustrating the transportation of the tanks to the unit located near Kaliningrad Oblast. The video shows that the transport was conducted at night to avoid disrupting road traffic with oversized loads. Civilian low-loader trucks were used to transport the tanks, and representatives from Korea participated in the operation.
With the latest delivery of K2s to Braniewo, Poland now has 71 of these tanks. However, further reinforcements are planned by the end of the year, as the military aims to increase the K2 arsenal to 84 vehicles.
It's worth noting that the K2 is one of the key tank models globally. This project began in 1995, and the prototype was publicly unveiled in 2007. After many years of research and testing, the first contract for delivering these vehicles was secured in 2014, and the Koreans introduced them into service in 2016. The design of the K2 tank accommodates a crew of three: the commander, gunner, and driver. Its combat weight reaches 54 tonnes, with dimensions 11 metres long, 4 metres wide, and 2 metres high.
This armoured vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h on paved roads and 50 km/h on more challenging terrain. Its main armament is a 120 mm smoothbore gun with an automatic loading system, capable of firing up to 10 rounds per minute (according to some sources, even 15). The K2 tank also has two machine guns – one calibre of 12.7 mm, the other 7.62 mm. Crew safety is ensured by composite and reactive armour (Explosive Reactive Armour - ERA). Notably, the version of the K2 used in Poland is further customized with domestic systems, such as communication systems.
