Poland receives a new batch of Korean K9A1 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. Photo: X @SztabGenWP
Poland has received a new batch of Korean K9A1 Thunder self-propelled howitzers, 155 mm caliber, as part of its ongoing effort to strengthen its military capabilities.
The General Staff of the Polish Army announced the delivery on November 13, along with images documenting the arrival. A total of 12 self-propelled howitzers were unloaded at the port of Gdynia, as part of a contract signed in August 2022. This initial contract, which includes the delivery of 212 K9A1 howitzers, is part of a broader framework agreement signed in July 2022 between the Polish Armaments Agency and Hanwha Defense from South Korea.
The agreement states that deliveries will be completed by 2026, after which the howitzers will be upgraded to the K9PL version. The modernization will be carried out in collaboration with experts from the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and Hanwha Defense. Starting in 2026, Poland plans to locally produce around 460 additional systems in the K9PL version at a new industrial facility.
The contract also includes K10 ARV and K11 FDCV support vehicles designed to automatically resupply the howitzers during combat operations. The Polish versions of the K9 are equipped with an integrated C2 control and positioning system, along with the TOPÁZI automatic fire control kit, developed to work in conjunction with Polish command vehicles.
By the end of October, Poland had already received 108 units of the self-propelled howitzers, with the previous delivery of 12 units taking place on October 7. This expansion of the arsenal aims to compensate for the reduction in available self-propelled howitzers due to artillery donations Poland made to Ukraine as part of its contribution to the neighboring country’s defense.
With this new delivery, Poland takes another step toward strengthening its defense capabilities and ensuring greater autonomy in its artillery system while contributing to regional security.
Sources and photos: X @SztabGenWP. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
