The ROK government has approved export licenses for Poland to supply Ukraine with Krab howitzers with South Korean components, said Kim Hyun-chul, an official with the South Korean administration. of the Defense Procurement Program (DAPA). South Korea has never transferred weapons to Kiev, despite being asked to do so by US and NATO officials, according to Reuters.
We have reviewed all documentation and possible issues within DAPA <…>then we decided to issue an export license to Poland said a South Korean official. Warsaw sent the first Krab howitzers to Ukraine in May 2022, after which it did not have the opportunity to supply Kiev with such artillery. The Krab howitzers were part of a $5.8 billion contract between South Korea and Poland that was signed in 2022. According to her, Poland also bought several hundred Chunmoo MLRS, K2, K9 and FA-50 fighters. In order for Poland to deliver something from this arsenal to Ukraine, it needed an additional license from DAPA. So far, only howitzers have been approved in Seoul, Kim said. Earlier, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said that Warsaw is ready to open a service center for the repair of Leopard 2 tanks sent to Ukraine. At the same time, Germany should start producing spare parts for military vehicles, he said. The minister clarified that it is proposed to use the Bumar-Labendy plant area in Gliwice for the repair shop, where the necessary conditions are met.
