Slovakia refuses to buy German Leopard 2 in favour of Korean K2 Black Panther
Slovakia refused to purchase German Leopard 2A8 tanks because of their high cost and began to consider other options, including the CV90120 MkIV light tanks and the Polish modification of the Korean K2 Black Panther (K2PL).
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Earlier, Slovakia took advantage of the "ring exchange" initiative, receiving 15 Leopard 2A4 tanks in exchange for 30 Soviet BMP-1s. However, the cost of the Leopard 2A8 was too high - 25 million euros per unit - forcing the country to reconsider its plans. However, the Czech Republic, for example, last year, having received Leopard 2A4s in exchange for its T-72 tanks, announced its intention to order up to 77 Leopard 2A8s.
On 24 February, Poland and Slovakia signed a memorandum of military cooperation covering several areas. The Polish defence industry plans to use Slovakia's experience in the production of 155 mm artillery shells. Slovak companies will also participate in the assembly of a new armoured vehicle based on Rosomak, equipped with a remotely controlled Turra 30 tower.
The K2 Black Panther main battle tank. Illustration: Korea Defence Blog
In addition, Slovakia is interested in purchasing Polish Piorun man-portable air defence systems, as well as in the possibility of purchasing K2PL tanks. As for the tanks, Warsaw has signed a framework agreement with Seoul to purchase 1,000 units. The first 180 will be manufactured in South Korea, and the next 820 will be produced under licence in Poland.
Slovakia's Ministry of Defence has already abandoned the modernisation of its 30 T-72M1s and plans to buy 104 new tanks to form two armoured battalions. The supplier is to be selected by 2025.
Source: Opex360
