[비즈한국] The Slovak Ministry of Defence is reportedly considering the introduction of new tanks, supersonic fighter jets, and trainer aircraft as part of its military modernization project, with Hyundai Rotem064350's K2 tank and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)047810's FA-50 under review. Following Poland’s successful acquisition of the K2 tank and FA-50, it appears that opportunities for Hyundai Rotem and KAI to secure contracts are expanding to neighboring countries.
According to KOTRA on the 25th, the Director of Modernization at the Slovak Ministry of Defence attended IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, last February, where they held specific discussions regarding the introduction of the K2 tank and FA-50 with Hyundai Rotem and KAI, respectively. A KOTRA official added that they personally confirmed that Hyundai Rotem’s K2 tank has made the shortlist for the Slovak Ministry of Defence’s procurement project.
Influenced by neighboring Poland’s adoption of the K2 tank and FA-50, Slovakia is reportedly prioritizing its replacement project for aging Russian-made tanks and advanced trainer aircraft used for pilot training (following the F-16 Viper fighter jets). The country plans to introduce up to 104 new tanks, and a three-way competition is expected between the K2 tank, the American M1A2, and the German Leopard 2A8.
Recent reports suggest that a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed between Slovakia and Poland will positively impact K2 tank exports. On the 24th of last month, Robert Kaliňák, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia, held defense talks with Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Poland, and signed an LOI covering key areas of mutual defense cooperation between the two nations.
The LOI includes cooperation regarding Hyundai Rotem’s K2 Polish-variant tank (K2PL). Slovakia plans to acquire the K2 tanks produced in Poland. The K2PL is a model customized by Hyundai Rotem to meet the requirements of the Polish military and is scheduled to be produced locally under the leadership of the Polish state-owned defense company PGZ. An industry official explained, "Since Slovakia is adjacent to Poland, it can utilize Poland as a production hub. The K2 tank holds a competitive edge over German or American alternatives in terms of ongoing maintenance, such as follow-up logistics support and local production."
Furthermore, South Korea and Slovakia have established a "strategic partnership." Following Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s visit to South Korea last year—the first in 17 years—the two countries exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation. As part of its "military modernization project" running through 2035, Slovakia is considering the introduction of KAI’s FA-50 light attack aircraft to replace its aging L-39 advanced trainers.
A KOTRA official emphasized, "As the Korean defense industry offers high-quality, cost-effective solutions and has been exporting weapons in large quantities to neighboring Poland, there is a strong chance of success if local procurement activities are pursued actively."