The offer was presented during a recent visit by a South Korean delegation to Poland, as reported by the newspaper "Dong-a Ilbo," citing government sources.
In response to Poland's drone offer, the South Korean government plans to send a delegation to Warsaw this weekend to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the Polish drones. Experts note that South Korea needs to increase its drone fleet to address threats from North Korea.
The proposal was made during the visit of South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik to Poland in June. Poland emphasized that their drones have proven effective in supporting Ukraine and can be mass-produced at a relatively low cost.
The "Dong-a Ilbo" reports that the South Korean delegation will include officials from the Ministry of Defense, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and the drone operations command. They aim to assess the drones' battlefield effectiveness and operational management.
Importing Polish drones could help mitigate the threat from North Korea and position Poland as a key client for South Korean weapons. However, offers to sell automated mines, radars, and self-propelled mortars were declined, as South Korea already possesses high-performance similar products and has no immediate need for additional weapons.
In 2022, Poland signed a USD 22 billion arms deal with South Korea, including howitzers, tanks, and fighter jets, marking one of South Korea's largest defense transactions.
(jh)
Source: IAR, PAP