With the relocation of the US Army 5th Corps command to Poland, Poland entered into a long-term economic warfare in the Cold War by signing a Framework Agreement to acquire Korean weapons for the army, which are replicas of US weapons.
US President Joe Biden announced at the NATO summit on the 29th that the headquarters of the 5th Corps in Kentucky would be relocated to Poznan, Poland as a plan to increase the US presence in Europe.
President Biden informed NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO summit in Madrid on the same day, saying, "The United States will raise its military posture in Europe to respond to the changing security environment in Europe and to strengthen collective security." It was reported by Voice of America (VOA).
Germany's Spiegel reported on the 27th that the German government had approved the sale of 100 units of KMW's 2000 self-propelled artillery to Ukraine.
An official from the 5th Corps told VOA on the same day, "Moving the headquarters to Poland) is worthy of being evaluated as a landmark event in the history of US military activities in Europe after World War II."
Poland provided Ukraine with Russian-made weapons it had for arms support from the US, and this time announced a “provisional contract” for the purchase of US-made weapons produced in Korea.
The Polish government announced on the 27th that it was a 'rescue contract' for the introduction of 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft based on the US F-16, 980 K2 tanks based on the US M-1A1, and 648 K-9 self-propelled guns classified as the US-made M109A2K from South Korea on the 27th. (Framework Agreement)'
After delivery of 12 light attack aircraft by the middle of next year, Korea Aerospace Industries has signed a contract to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul center in Poland.
During a temporary contract signing ceremony with officials from Korean companies at the Polish Ministry of National Defense on the same day, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense said, "The Korean weapon system was the most suitable considering the technology, price, and introduction period in the gap between ground and air power with Ukraine's support." said
Poland has not confirmed a specific price contract with South Korea, and it is known that it is also carrying out temporary arms purchase contracts with other countries such as Germany.
An official from the Korea Defense Agency said, "The final export size and price, delivery time, and conditions for technology transfer can be confirmed only after each company signs a separate implementation contract with the Polish government and undergoes additional consultations."
The Polish government said, “Part of the first batch of K9 self-propelled howitzers will be delivered within this year to fill the power gap caused by the support of Ukraine.”
Poland provided more than half of its 500 Russian-made T-72 tanks to Ukraine.
Poland imported 116 used M-1A1 tanks from the United States, and for the Polish production system of the Korean K2 tank, which is the same model, it is a contract for local production of 800 units from 2026 by first delivery and technology transfer of 180 units.
Poland is also sending Krab self-propelled guns developed and produced in-house using the US-made K-9 chassis to Ukraine.
The Korean FA-50, similar to the US-provided F-16 owned by the Polish Air Force, is an item that Polish pilots can control, and is a contract that supports the establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul center in the 12 priority services provided by Korea.
The K9 self-propelled howitzer licensed the US M109A2 and added a chemical warfare NBC defense system.
The Wall Street Journal reported on the 27th that the Western camp had begun to prepare for a long-term economic Cold War due to sanctions on the Russian economy in response to the prolonged war in Ukraine.
Rescue contracts with Korean companies in Poland seem to be a means of pressure on favorable terms in contracts with military companies such as Germany.