New era for Poland's 9th brigade: K2 tanks arrive in Braniewo
In recent days, the arsenal of the 9th Armoured Cavalry Brigade in Braniewo has been bolstered with the arrival of the first seven K2 Black Panther tanks. The military has now released a video showcasing the challenging operation of transporting these machines.
The newly delivered K2 tanks from South Korea are essential for modernising the 9th Armoured Cavalry Brigade based in Braniewo, which previously relied on Polish PT-91 Twardy tanks. The tanks that were previously used are likely to be sent to units that had earlier transferred this type of equipment to Ukraine, although the military has not disclosed where exactly the PT-91s will be deployed.
The military released a video of the tank transport process
The new K2s from Korea have already reached Braniewo, but local soldiers have shared a video online that shows the tanks' transportation to the unit located near the Kaliningrad Oblast. The video highlights that the transport was conducted at night to avoid disrupting road traffic with oversized loads. Civilian low-loader trucks were used for the transport, and representatives from Korea also participated in the operation.
With the latest delivery of K2s to Braniewo, there are now 71 of these tanks in Poland. However, further reinforcements are planned by the end of the year, as the military aims to increase the K2 arsenal to 84 vehicles.
It is worth noting that the K2 is one of the key tank models in the world. Work on this project began in 1995, and the first prototype was publicly unveiled in 2007. After many years of research and testing, the first contract for the delivery of these vehicles was secured in 2014, and the Koreans introduced them into service in 2016. The design of the K2 tank accommodates a crew of three: the commander, gunner, and driver. Its combat weight reaches 54 tonnes, and its dimensions are 11 metres in length, 4 metres in width, and 2 metres in height.
This armoured vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 43 mph on paved roads and 31 mph in more challenging terrain. Its main armament is a 120 mm smoothbore gun with an automatic loading system, capable of firing up to 10 rounds per minute (according to some sources, even 15). The K2 tank is also equipped with two machine guns – one with a calibre of 12.7 mm and the other 7.62 mm. Crew safety is ensured by composite and reactive armour (Explosive Reactive Armour - ERA). Notably, the version of the K2 used in Poland is further customised with domestic systems, such as communication systems.
