On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Finland’s Ministry of Defence announced that it had signed an agreement worth 546.8 million EUR with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) for the purchase of 112 used 155 mm K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers from Republic of Korea Army (Daehanminguk Yukgun) stocks. According to Hanwha Aerospace’s statement, deliveries will begin in 2028, which may indicate that the systems will in fact come off the production line and were originally reserved for Seoul, as was previously the case with Poland, meaning they will be “used” in name only.
Photo: Finland’s Ministry of Defence
The agreement also includes spare parts and support packages for operation and maintenance. It was signed in the presence of Jae-il Son, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hanwha Aerospace; Joshua Ahn, Head of Hanwha Aerospace’s MRO Business Group; and Olli Ruutu, Director General for Resource Policy and National Armaments Director at Finland’s Ministry of Defence.
“This acquisition will enhance the Finnish Army’s artillery capability in a cost-effective manner. The procurement is part of the Finnish Army’s modernization outlined in the Defence Report, which will be implemented over the next ten years. At the same time, this is a strong demonstration of the close cooperation between the defense administrations of Finland and South Korea,” said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.
Jae-il Son, President & CEO of Hanwha Aerospace said:
“Finland, as a NATO ally, has once again chosen Hanwha Aerospace — a decision that demonstrates we are a trusted partner in strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities,” he added, “We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with NATO allies, including across the Nordic region.“
Photos: Hanwha Aerospace
This order will further increase the firepower of the Finnish Defence Forces and their ability to support operational forces with long-range artillery characterized by good off-road and road mobility. The procurement will partially replace aging light towed artillery equipment.
The K9 Thunder howitzers will be acquired from South Korea, but domestic modifications to the platforms will be carried out in Finland before they enter service. In addition, maintenance and repair capabilities for the system have already been established in Finland in connection with the procurement. The purchase is included within the Ministry of Defence’s planned budget framework.
K9FIN Moukari / Photo: Finland’s Ministry of Defence
Previously, the government in Helsinki had already ordered a total of 96 K9A1 howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace, which received the designation K9FIN Moukari. In July 2016, Finland initially intended to purchase 24 used K9 Thunder systems with an option for a further 24 from Daehanminguk Yuk-gun stocks. In the end, it decided to acquire 48 guns with an option for another 48 for 146 million EUR.
In total, therefore, the Finnish Army (Maavoimat) will operate 208 K9 Thunder systems. It will thus become the third export customer after Poland and Türkiye, which has ordered more than 200 units.
Maavoimat also operates aging K 83-97 towed howitzers, with about 600 in service and reserve, as well as modern 155 GH 52 APU systems, of which 56 are in service. On the basis of the latter, a self-propelled version on the Patria ARVE wheeled chassis was developed and is being considered for procurement in a quantity of 12 to 20 units, with an option for 6 additional systems, as the successor to the 130 mm towed 130 K 90-60 guns, of which 15 remain in service. In reserve are post-Soviet 152 mm TELAK 91 (2S5 Giatsint-S) and 122 mm 2S1 Gvozdika systems.
Long-range artillery capabilities are supplemented by 22 ex-Dutch M270D1 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) multiple rocket launchers, locally designated 298 RsRakH 06, which, together with another 21 reserve launchers – ex-U.S. and ex-Danish M270A1 systems —– will be upgraded to a standard equivalent to the M270A2.
The K9 Thunder howitzer entered service with the Republic of Korea Army and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (Daehanminguk Haebyeongdae) in 1999. Since 2018, the guns have been undergoing modernization to the K9A1 standard. Around 1,300 K9/K9A1 systems have been fielded, together with 410 K10 ammunition resupply and support vehicles. Preparations are currently under way to begin modernization to the K9A2 standard.
Puolustusvoimille hankitaan lisää käytettyjä 155 mm K9-panssarihaupitseja Etelä-Koreasta.https://t.co/WK2PNEvrtt
— Puolustusministeriö (@DefenceFinland) April 9, 2026
Hankimme maavoimille merkittävän määrän tykistökalustoa. Materiaaliyhteistyömme Etelä-Korean kanssa vahvistuu tämän hankinnan myötä entisestään samoin kuin painoarvomme K9-käyttäjämaiden joukossa.https://t.co/ccs0L5dtsS
— Antti Häkkänen (@anttihakkanen) April 9, 2026
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