MILAN — Finland has signed a €547 million ($642 million) contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace to procure 112 additional K9 self-propelled howitzers, accelerating its artillery expansion.
Finnish authorities announced the government-to-government deal on Thursday, expected to bring its total K9 inventory to over 200 systems, making Finland the second-largest European operator behind Poland.
The platforms, along with associated spare parts, are scheduled to be delivered to the Finnish Army from 2028 onwards and will undergo national modifications before entering service.
The K9 is a 155mm/52-cal. armored combat vehicle designed for long-range precision fires, which according to Hanwha is capable of shooting at ranges of more than 40 km (24.9 miles).
The Nordic country first purchased the K9 in 2017 and exercised a contract option to buy additional units in 2022, bringing the earlier total order to 96.
“Finland’s continued procurement also reflects a broader trend of deepening defense cooperation between Hanwha and Northern European nations — with units delivered to ten countries, including six NATO member states: Turkey, Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, and Romania,” the South Korean manufacturer said in a statement.
Over the last few years, Helsinki has focused on boosting its firepower capabilities and expanding its army. In 2023, the country invested €24 million to double its domestic production of heavy ammunition by 2027.
