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
-
![Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces]()
Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
-
![Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges]()
Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges
Pearson Engineering has provided equipment and engineering expertise to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The British company is now working to deepen engagement with the Ukrainian defence industry, expanding its support for the country’s population and laying the foundations for future technological innovation.
-
![AUSA 2026: industry looks to make commercial platforms a military reality]()
AUSA 2026: industry looks to make commercial platforms a military reality
With a production rate of more than 10 million vehicles annually, the US commercial car and vehicle manufacturing base is second only to China. Defence companies are looking at how the vehicles, technology and manufacturing capability can support programmes.
