Today at 15:59
Poland has reinforced a brigade stationed near the Russian border with K2 Black Panther tanks.
The new batch of Korean-made tanks was delivered to the 15th Mechanized Brigade named after the Zawisza, one of the key combat units of the Polish Land Forces.
The brigade is based in Giżycko, in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, located in the northeast of the country, near the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
The unit is part of the 16th Mechanized Division.
Its primary mission is defending NATO’s eastern flank and deterring threats from Russia and Belarus.
The brigade’s location holds strategic importance — it guards the so-called Suwałki Gap, a narrow stretch between Lithuania and Poland that could become a critical battleground in the event of a military escalation involving Russia and Belarus.
Until recently, the brigade operated modernized T-72 and PT-91 Twardy tanks. However, since 2023–2024, it began receiving the latest K2 Black Panther main battle tanks purchased from South Korea.
The T-72 and PT-91 Twardy tanks were transferred by Poland’s Ministry of Defense to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for defense against Russian aggression.
In 2025, Poland is expected to receive another 96 K2 Black Panther tanks.
Moreover, on August 1, Poland signed a new executive contract for the delivery of 180 additional South Korean K2 tanks, 64 of which will be produced in the K2PL modification, tailored to meet the requirements of the Polish Army.
K2 Black Panther
- Weight: ~55 tons
- Crew: 3
- Main Armament: 120mm smoothbore cannon with automatic loading
- Engine: 1,500 hp diesel
- Top Speed: up to 70 km/h on road
- Operational Range: ~450 km
The tank is equipped with advanced electronic systems, including automated fire control, active protection against missiles, and enhanced communication and observation systems, enabling effective detection and neutralization of threats on the battlefield.
