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The global defence contractor has commenced delivery of its self-propelled howitzers to the NATO member, just months after penning a supply contract.
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Hanwha Defense has confirmed the delivery of an initial tranche of 24 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) to Poland just two months after securing the US$2.4 billion (AU$3.4 billion) contract.
The systems were rolled out of Hanwha Defense’s Factory 1 in Changwon, approximately 300 kilometres south-east of Seoul, South Korea.
As part of the contract, the K9 SPH platforms would also be produced in Poland from 2026 in partnership with state-funded defence group Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ).
The handover was marked by a ceremony attended by:
- Eom Dong-hwan, South Korea’s Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration;
- Lieutenant General Eom Yong-jin, commander of the ROK Army Logistics Command;
- Major General Maciej Jabłoński, Polish Army Inspector of the Land Forces; and
- Piotr Ostaszewski, Polish Ambassador to South Korea.
“Today’s rollout of K9PL self-propelled howitzers represents our firm commitment to satisfying the needs of Poland,” Lee Boo-hwan, executive vice president of Hanwha Defense’s overseas business division, said.
“We are very confident about our strong production capacity to deliver best quality products on time.”
The K9 SPH is designed to deliver “consistent, accurate, rapid effects” at +40-kilometre range with high rates and volumes of fire.
The system can reportedly fire multiple rounds before moving to a different location to avoid potential counter-fire.
The delivery of the first tranche of K9 Howitzers to Poland comes as Hanwha Defense and Poland enter into a framework contract for the delivery of 288 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher systems (MRLS).
The K239 Chunmoo is billed as a self-propelled wheeled MRLS capable of firing varying calibres of shells.
The launcher vehicle carries two missile containers, each of which can contain up to six 239mm guided missiles with a reported range of approximately 80 kilometres or one ballistic missile with a range of approximately 290 kilometres.
The first tranche of 18 Chunmoo artillery systems and ammunition is expected to be delivered to the Polish Armed Forces in 2023.
[Related: Hanwha Defense wins major K9 contract ]
