At a military base in Mińsk Mazowiecki, near Warsaw, on Monday (August 21), Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak showcased one of the South Korean FA-50 fighter jets it has acqured from South Korea. Poland has ordered a total of 48 such machines. The contract on their delivery was signed in September 2022. The first K239 rocket launcher, also purchased from South Korea, arrived in Gdańsk later on Monday.
The aircraft will contribute to the modernization of Poland's Air Force fleet, which currently includes both Soviet and post-Soviet fighter jets.
"Why are these planes better than the post-Soviet ones? The answer to such a question can be found if we listen to the Ukrainian authorities: why are Ukrainians so eager to have F-16s?" - Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said during the presentation of the FA-50.
"Precisely because airplanes from the Western world are superior to post-Soviet aircraft," he explained.
Key partner in South Korea
Two FA-50s have already been delivered to Poland, with ten more scheduled to arrive later this year, according to Błaszczak.
South Korea aims to become a significant partner for Poland and signed a $13.7 billion arms deal with Warsaw last year—Seoul's largest-ever such deal.
The agreement with Poland, a key NATO member, encompasses hundreds of Chunmoo rocket launchers, K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 fighter aircraft.
First Chunmoo launcher arrives in Poland
The first South Korean K239 Chunmoo rocket launcher has been delivered by sea to the Port of Gdańsk.
The K239 Chunmoo is a self-propelled multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) capable of firing several different guided or unguided artillery rockets.
"Another shipment of Chunmoo rocket launchers will arrive in Poland later this year," minister Błaszczak wrote on X later on Monday.
As Blaszczak explained, the first Chumoo unit was supposed to arrive in Poland in the first half of August, so that it could be presented at the military parade on August 15 Armed Forces Day.
In the end, the rocker launcher was delivered a few days later than planned, partly due to a rescue mission on the Mediterranean Sea, in which the ship carrying the K239 had taken part.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters, PAP