Finland and Estonia to order additional K9s
K9 Thunders entered service with the Finnish Army in 2017. (Photo: Finnish Army)
Finnish defence minister Antti Kaikkonen has approved a plan to purchase five K9s this year and another five in 2022, while Estonia is also moving to acquire more of the South Korean-made SPHs.
Finland will increase its fleet of Hanwha Defense K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) to provide better mobility, range and protection for its ground forces, after Finnish defence minister Antti Kaikkonen on 21 October approved procurement of ten additional units via the South Korean government.
Five vehicles will be purchased this year and the remaining five in 2022. A spokesperson for the Finnish Army told Shephard that the new K9 Thunders will partly replace ageing artillery pieces that are earmarked for decommissioning in the 2020s and 2030s.
The acquisition of ten K9s ‘enables supporting operational troops with long-range artillery equipment with good off-road and on-road mobility’,
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![India’s high-altitude logistics drone push drives demand as BonV Aero launches Air Orca]()
India’s high-altitude logistics drone push drives demand as BonV Aero launches Air Orca
The Indian Army's major drone procurement programme has drawn attention from BonV Aero which has launched its heavy-lift platform for extreme terrain missions.
-
![SpearUAV to deliver 1,000 loitering munitions to extend armoured vehicle capability]()
SpearUAV to deliver 1,000 loitering munitions to extend armoured vehicle capability
The company's Multi Canister Launcher can deploy its Viper system from multiple military platforms, boosting operational flexibility.
-
![Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance]()
Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance
Europe’s air defence debate is increasingly shaped by the blunt economics of the field. While high-value interceptor missiles can effectively shoot down cheap drones, doing so at scale presents cost challenges.
-
![ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms]()
ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms
Following an order from the British Army, ARX Robotics has begun manufacturing autonomous ground platforms in the UK. Christopher Foss examines the company's growing range of systems.
