South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace has signed a new contract with the Finnish Ministry of Defence for the additional supply of 112 K9 self-propelled howitzers, in a deal valued at approximately €546 million.
The order represents one of the largest ever received by the manufacturer for the artillery system.
The signing ceremony took place this Thursday at the House of the Estates in Helsinki, attended by Jae-il Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, and Olli Ruutu, Director General of Resource Policy and National Armaments Director at the Finnish Ministry of Defence.
Finland’s relationship with the K9 howitzer began in March 2017, when the country acquired the first 48 units of the system. Since then, Helsinki has placed additional follow-on orders, consolidating the K9 as a central component of its land artillery. With this new contract, Finland becomes the third NATO member to operate more than 200 K9 units, alongside Turkey and Poland.
According to the terms of the agreement, the 112 new K9 units, along with associated spare parts, are expected to be delivered to the Finnish Army starting in 2028. As the Finnish land forces have already operated the model for several years as their primary artillery platform, integration of the new units into the existing structure is expected to be faster and more straightforward.
The K9 Thunder is a 155 mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer designed to deliver rapid, accurate, and sustained fire at ranges exceeding 40 kilometers. Considered a global leader in its segment, the system is currently the most widely adopted in its class, with units delivered to ten countries across four continents, including six NATO members: Turkey, Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, and Romania.
According to Hanwha, one of the K9’s key advantages is its mechanical robustness, particularly suited to the harsh conditions of Northern Europe. Finland’s accumulated experience using the platform in demanding environments over several years has reinforced confidence in its performance and reliability.
The new order also signals the continued strengthening of Finland’s artillery capabilities at a time when European countries are increasing investments in defense and military modernization. In Finland’s case, expanding the K9 fleet reinforces its commitment to a proven and widely tested platform in real-world operations.
Source and images: Finnish Ministry of Defence | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
