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Polish defence minister visits South Korea to discuss military deals

05.06.2023 09:30
Poland’s defence minister has travelled to South Korea for three days of talks on military cooperation between the two countries, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, officials have said.  
Polands Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak.
Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak. PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk

During his three-day visit beginning on Monday, Mariusz Błaszczak is due to meet with his South Korean counterpart Lee Jong-sup and the minister responsible for defence procurement, Eom Dong-hwan, among other officials, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

The talks are expected to focus on further military cooperation between Poland and South Korea, the Polish defence ministry said.

Early on Monday, Błaszczak held talks with South Korea's Deputy National Security Adviser Lim Jong-deuk, reporters were told.  

First FA-50 jet for Poland

On Wednesday, Błaszczak will attend the official rollout of the first FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft for Poland, out of the 48 ordered by Warsaw in 2022, according to officials.

The ceremony will take place at the premises of the aircraft’s manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), reporters were told. 

The Polish and South Korean defence ministers are also due to attend a firepower exercise involving K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers and K9 gun howitzers, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

Poland has bought both of these systems from South Korea, in addition to K2 battle tanks, the PAP news agency reported.

Joint committee on defence cooperation

Moreover, Błaszczak and Lee Jong-sup are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to set up a joint Polish-South Korean committee on cooperation in defence, according to officials. 

The two defence ministers will also preside over the first meeting of the committee, the Polish government said.

The committee is set to comprise six working groups tasked with deepening bilateral military cooperation, as well as forging closer Polish-South Korean ties in education and research and development, the PAP news agency reported.

Błaszczak, who is also a deputy prime minister, will additionally hold talks with South Korea’s arms industry officials about ways to strengthen Poland’s defence potential through cooperation between Polish and South Korean arms makers, the Polish defence ministry said.

FA-50 fighter jets for Poland

In September last year, Błaszczak approved a contract for the purchase of 48 FA-50 light fighter jets from South Korea for USD 3 billion, the PAP news agency reported . 

The first batch of 12 aircraft is slated for delivery in 2023, while the remaining 36 machines will reach the Polish army between 2025 and 2028, according to officials.     

Monday is day 467 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, dorzeczy.pl