Hanwha Aerospace's K9 self-propelled howitzer will be exported to Finland once again.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said on the 9th that in Helsinki, Finland, a second export contract for K9 self-propelled howitzers was signed between the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Ministry of National Defense of Finland. The deal is worth 940 billion won (€546 million), and Hanwha Aerospace will deliver 112 K9 self-propelled howitzers to Finland.
At the request of the Ministry of National Defense of Finland for a guarantee from the Korean government, KOTRA became a party to the contract. Hanwha Aerospace will separately sign an export guarantee performance contract with KOTRA. A Defense Acquisition Program Administration official said, "When the other country wants a government-to-government contract, it proceeds in this form."
Finland previously signed a government-to-government export contract in Mar. 2017 with KOTRA and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to purchase 48 K9 self-propelled howitzers. The contract at the time was worth 191.5 billion won. It was chosen to replace the Soviet-made artillery system that Finland had operated. Delivery was scheduled through 2025.
The performance of the K9 self-propelled howitzer is cited as the reason the second contract was concluded. The Finnish military chose it again after the K9 demonstrated excellent mobility and firepower even in harsh Nordic climates and terrain, including severe cold and heavy snow. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said, "This contract was decided based on the results of years of actual operation by the Finnish military."
Lee Yong-chul, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said, "The strengths of Korea's defense industry—such as trust built by meeting delivery deadlines, excellent performance, and reasonable prices—are being recognized in the European market," adding, "We will actively support Korean corporations in expanding overseas."