Finland has signed a contract with South Korea for the procurement of an additional 112 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers from the stocks of the South Korean Armed Forces.
Valued at approximately 546.8 million euros ($641 million), the government-to-government deal includes related spare parts, special tools, and test equipment, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028.
Finland first acquired the Hanwha Aerospace-manufactured system in 2017 and has since procured 96 units.
The latest acquisition will enhance the Finnish Army’s firepower and improve its ability to support operational forces with long-range artillery systems offering strong off-road and on-road mobility, according to the ministry.
The 155mm/52-caliber system is designed for long-range precision fires at distances exceeding 40 kilometers (25 miles).
The new systems will also replace a portion of the country’s aging towed artillery inventory.
“This procurement enhances the Capability of the Finnish artillery cost-effectively,” Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen stated.
“The acquisition is a part of the decade-long modernization of the Finnish Army as stated in the Government Defence Report.
At the same time, this is a strong expression of the close co-operation of the respective defense administrations of Finland and the Republic of Korea.”
Choice of NATO Countries
The tracked system will be modified to meet Finland’s specifications before entering service. The country has already established a domestic maintenance and sustainment network for the artillery through earlier acquisitions.
With this latest order, Helsinki becomes the third NATO member to operate more than 200 K9 units, joining Turkey and Poland. Other NATO operators include Norway, Estonia, and Romania.
“Finland, as a NATO ally, has once again chosen Hanwha Aerospace — a decision that demonstrates we are a trusted partner in strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities,” President & CEO of Hanwha Aerospace Jae-il Son said.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with NATO allies, including across the Nordic region.”
