Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak officially handed over the first batch of Korean K9 Thunder howitzers to the army. He also announced the next steps.
Korean K9 Thunder howitzers were delivered to the 1st Masurian Artillery Brigade in Węgorzewo. The official transmission was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak.
- We know that the Polish industry produces such weapons, but our needs are so great that we must satisfy them in a short time. In the long term, together with the Korean industry, we will create a joint project that will satisfy the needs of both the Polish and Korean armies - said Mariusz Blaszczak in Węgorzewo.
Joint Polish-Korean project
The Deputy Prime Minister said that in addition to large purchases that Poland intends to make in South Korea for K2 Black Panther tanks and K9 Thunder artillery howitzers, a joint Polish-Korean project is also being prepared.
- Under the contract that we signed in July this year, we will purchase 672 K9 howitzers. Recent experience shows how important artillery is on the battlefield. Hence the decision to revive the 1st Artillery Brigade, disbanded in 2010 - the Deputy Prime Minister said.
1st Artillery Brigade to be expanded
The Minister of National Defense also announced that the 1st Artillery Brigade was not only disbanded, but would be expanded.
“Together with its reconstruction, we will also increase the places where its soldiers will stand. In addition to the garrison in Węgorzewo, we are also acquiring real estate belonging to the State Treasury in Olecko. This will be the second deployment point for the 1st Artillery Brigade. This will make the northeastern part of our country even safer - Mariusz Blaszczak said.
Source: Wprost
