Korean Media: (K) K-Defense Industry: Finland Orders Additional 546 Million Euros' Worth of K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers

It is reported that Finland has decided to place an additional order for K9 self-propelled howitzers. In 2017, Finland initially imported 96 units of the K9; the second batch will bring in another 112 units, resulting in a total of 208 units to be put into service.

On the 9th, according to the Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Finland's Ministry of Defense officially signed the export contract for the second batch of K9 self-propelled howitzers in Helsinki, Finland, with a total value of 546 million euros (approximately 940 billion KRW). DAPA stated: "Based on years of actual operational experience with the K9 in harsh Nordic environments characterized by extreme cold and heavy snowfall, the K9’s mobility and firepower have consistently proven outstanding, leading Finland to decide on this additional procurement." It is expected that the delivery of the entire second batch will be completed by the early 2030s.

After this contract, the K9 has been exported to nine countries, exceeding 1,500 units. Currently, Turkey and Poland are the two nations using over 200 units each. Both countries, like Finland, are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

As was the case with the first batch, Finland has chosen to purchase second-hand K9 self-propelled howitzers that were previously used by the South Korean military and subsequently refurbished and upgraded. These "refurbished" units refer to systems that have been completely disassembled, maintained, repaired, and restored to function as effectively as new ones. Both inside and outside the military community have praised this arrangement as a positive cycle for South Korea—exporting refurbished models to Finland while simultaneously replenishing its own army with new K9s. According to industry insiders, “The price of refurbished units is significantly lower than that of brand-new ones, making it highly reasonable.” They further explained, “Refurbished K9s undergo complete disassembly, replacement of critical systems such as automatic loading controls, and reinforcement of external armor—making them virtually indistinguishable from new models in performance.”

Through this contract, Finland will receive the upgraded version of the initial-model K9—the “K9A1.” This newer model features semi-automatic loading, GPS integration, and improved navigation systems. DAPA Director Lee Young-chul said: “During the execution of the first contract, Korea’s defense industry earned continuous recognition in the European market due to timely delivery, superior performance, and competitive pricing.” Observers also noted that this export cooperation bodes well for future exports of upcoming variants such as the K9A2, which is nearing the end of its development phase in Korea.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862053356682252/

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