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Polish outlet estimates USD 22 bn Korean arms buys also sent billions to U.S., Germany

03.03.2026 14:00
Poland has spent about USD 22 billion on weapons purchases from South Korea, and part of that outlay will flow back to Poland via localization, while U.S. and German firms also earned billions supplying key components, Polish Radio 24 reported.
FILE PHOTO: K2 tank.
FILE PHOTO: K2 tank.PAP/Michał Meissner

According to calculations cited by polskieradio24.pl, around USD 14.3 billion of the total went to South Korea as the main integrator for equipment including K2 Black Panther tanks, K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light combat aircraft and K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.

The outlet estimated Poland retained nearly USD 4.4 billion through “polonization” of equipment and transferring production to domestic facilities.

The United States ranked third, with about USD 2.2 billion in revenue for companies supplying “key jet engines, AESA radars, avionics and GPS systems” for aircraft, the report said. Germany’s defense industry received about USD 600 million for engines and transmissions installed in initial batches of tanks and howitzers, it said.

The report added that “billion-dollar transfers” also went “potentially” to Israel, estimating a 1% share, alongside roughly 10% to the United States and 3% to Germany. It said the overall amount could increase if all planned purchases are carried out.

(jh)

Source: Polish Radio