Estonian and Polish troops have conducted joint training with their K9 self-propelled howitzers, marking the first time both nations have used the artillery in a collaborative defense exercise.
During the drill, Warsaw and Tallinn synchronized their national defense systems to create common procedures for combined operations.
This represents a particularly important step for regional cooperation between the two NATO members, who are both committed to strengthening defense efforts along Europe’s eastern borders.
Äkktuli 2024 Exercise
During the Äkktuli 2024 training event, Estonian Defence Forces deployed its reservists and conscripts from the January Fire Battery, while Poland participated with a team from its 1st Artillery Brigade.
“The participation of the Polish unit provided us with a valuable opportunity to practice rapid reinforcement,” stated Major Meelis Tasa, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Artillery Battalion.
From the Polish forces, Colonel Roman Piediuk said that “joint training is always positive – we get the opportunity to see Estonian units using equipment similar to ours, and I hope that our Estonian colleagues can learn something from our experience.”
K9 Howitzers on Europe’s Eastern Borders
The K9s are produced by South Korean Hanwha Defense and are equipped with a 155mm/52-caliber gun capable of firing both standard and extended-range munitions.
Their automatic fire control system allows it to fire within 30 seconds when stationary and 60 seconds while moving, with a firing rate of six to eight rounds per minute.
The K9 is a widely used artillery system on NATO’s eastern flank, where several countries fear possible threats amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
In 2022, Poland reached an 11.4-billion Polish zloty ($2.32 billion) deal to acquire 212 K9 Thunder artillery systems from South Korea.
In April, Estonia contracted Hanwha to produce 12 additional K9s, after Tallinn donated several tanks and howitzers of the same type to Ukraine within a $122-million military aid package.
In addition to Poland and Estonia, Norway, Finland, and Romania have also acquired the K9 self-propelled gun since 2022.