The Estonian government has signed a 36-million-euro ($38.9 million) contract to procure 12 additional K9 howitzers from Hanwha Defense.
The self-propelled tracked howitzers will be delivered through 2026.
“We are working toward the deliveries arriving earlier, so that we can receive the self-propelled howitzers before 2026,” Estonian Center for Defense Investment’s Karmo Saar said.
Here we go again 👉 #Estonia 🇪🇪adds another 1️⃣2️⃣ 🇰🇷-made self-propelled #howitzers to its combat capability. The newest contract will increase @Kaitsevagi long-range fire power to 3️⃣6️⃣ #K9 Thunders.💪 pic.twitter.com/i6uDOF6RWO
— MoD Estonia (@MoD_Estonia) January 14, 2023
Previous Contract
The Baltic country has already received 18 of the 24 K9s procured earlier from Hanwha for 81.5 million euros ($88 million).
The country began to modify the South Korean guns in 2021 as part of their induction into the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF), including “installation of communications and control systems, painting, replacement of the fire extinguishing system, adaptation of the electrical system as well as installation of other accessories.”
Two guns have been modified and tested by the EDF. The last of the lot will be ready for induction in 2024.
Features
The 47-ton, 155mm mobile artillery has a maximum speed of 67 kilometers (41.63 miles) per hour.
The gun can fire a round within 30 seconds of receiving information in stationary mode and within 60 seconds in motion. It has a maximum firing range of 40 kilometers (25 miles).
The artillery carries 48 rounds and can fire three rounds within 15 seconds in burst mode and five rounds every two minutes for an hour in sustained mode.
