Hyundai Rotem unveils Poland-tailored K2PL tank at MSPO

Hyundai Rotem is making its first public showing of a K2 tank fitted with Polish-made mission equipment, marking a new milestone in the localization of the Poland-variant K2 tank, known as the K2PL. The company is debuting a K2 tank equipped with a camouflage system produced by a Polish defense firm, as well as a bridge-laying tank under joint development with a local partner, and plans to deepen cooperation in preparation for local production.

Hyundai Rotem announced it is participating in the 34th MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition, held in Kielce, Poland, from Tuesday through Friday (local time).

MSPO has been held annually in Poland since 1993 and, based on last year's figures, drew 811 companies from 35 countries, making it the largest international defense exhibition in Eastern Europe. Attending MSPO for the fifth consecutive year, Hyundai Rotem plans to operate the largest booth among South Korean defense companies at the show.

The company has set up a dedicated K2PL zone at the exhibition where visitors can assess the capabilities of its Poland-variant tank lineup. On display are not only the Poland-variant K2 tank — modified and developed to meet local requirements — but also derivative vehicles including a bridge-laying tank, a combat engineering tank and a recovery tank. The Poland-variant K2 is slated to incorporate advanced technologies such as an active protection system capable of countering anti-tank guided missiles and drone threats, a drone jammer and a remote weapon control system.

Making its public debut at the show is the MCS camouflage system made by Polish defense firm Miranda, which will be fitted to the Poland-variant K2. The MCS is a vehicle camouflage system designed to remain operational even while the tank is moving or engaged in combat.

At the exhibition, the MCS camouflage system is displayed fitted to the K2GF main battle tank that Hyundai Rotem is currently delivering to Poland. The locally developed MCS reduces the tank's exposure to detection by various sensors, including night-vision and thermal imaging equipment.

Also on display for the first time is a Poland-variant bridge-laying tank that Hyundai Rotem is co-developing with local defense firm Obrum. The vehicle is equipped with bridge mission equipment optimized for the local battlefield environment.

Hyundai Rotem is also showcasing a model of its multipurpose unmanned vehicle, the HR-Sherpa, fitted with a remote weapon station made by local defense firm ZMT. The company also plans to exhibit a 30-ton wheeled armored vehicle equipped with a counter-unmanned aerial systems turret, highlighting the advanced defense technologies it has under development.

Hyundai Rotem is accelerating preparations for local production of the Poland-variant K2 to ensure the smooth completion of its second implementation contract with Poland's Armament Agency. In April, the company signed a local production and maintenance cooperation agreement with Bumar-Łabędy, a defense firm under Polish state defense group PGZ, covering the Poland-variant K2 and recovery tank, and plans to continue medium- and long-term cooperation with local partners.

"The Poland-variant K2 tank is a symbolic achievement that brings together the technological capabilities of partner companies from both countries, and it will play an important role in developing the defense ecosystems of the two countries," a Hyundai Rotem official said. "As Poland's security partner, we will carry out local production without disruption and contribute to maintaining peace in Poland."

Meanwhile, Hyundai Rotem is recruiting entry-level and experienced candidates in the aerospace sector to secure talent for the future of the aerospace industry. The hiring covers 14 aerospace positions, including ducted ramjet engines, hypersonic engines, methane engines and propulsion system test facilities.