Defence & Space

Steep growth at Rheinmetall in the first quarter of 2025 – operating result in defence business almost doubled

The Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall AG technology group concludes the first quarter of 2025 with new record values in both sales and…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 9 minutes

ST Engineering to Deliver a Suite of Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Systems for Singaporean Navy

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that it has been awarded contracts by Singapore Ministry of Defence to deliver a suite of Mine Countermeasure…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Run-flat inserts – an essential component of modern military wheeled vehicles

For many years, it has been observed that wheeled chassis purchased and operated by the armed forces require additional equipment to enable…

2025-03-07 | Radosław Niesobski | 4 minutes

When Trump Plays with Putin – Europe Must Arm Itself

Donald Trump makes it clear that Europe must defend itself and take care of its own security. It has taken…

2025-02-21 | Sławek Zagórski | 4 minutes

ST Engineering to Deliver a Suite of Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Systems for Singaporean Navy

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that it has been awarded contracts by Singapore Ministry of Defence to deliver a suite of Mine Countermeasure…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Poland: K2GF Tanks Arrive in the 15th Giżycko Mechanized Brigade

The first K2GF Heuk-Pyo (Black Panther) tanks have arrived in the 15th Giżycko Mechanized Brigade. This is the third unit…

2025-05-06 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Rohde & Schwarz enhances military spectrum monitoring capabilities

Rohde & Schwarz advances their military spectrum monitoring portfolio by launching easily deployable monitoring systems, designed to help armed forces optimize their spectrum management,…

2025-04-21 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rohde & Schwarz unveiled postprocessing platform RAMON IQzoom

RAMON IQzoom from Rohde & Schwarz is redefining the boundaries of signal analysis, by empowering armed forces to delve deeper into the…

2025-04-20 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Rheinmetall cooperates with DSTA in Singapore – innovation in simulation and training systems

German-based Rheinmetall AG and Singapore-based Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) agree on cooperation. Memorandum of Understanding signed on simulation…

2025-05-06 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall at DEFEA 2025: Strong partner for international armed and security forces

The DEFEA defence trade fair will take place in Athens from 6 to 8 May2025. Rheinmetall will be there as a strong partner for…

2025-05-05 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Steep growth at Rheinmetall in the first quarter of 2025 – operating result in defence business almost doubled

The Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall AG technology group concludes the first quarter of 2025 with new record values in both sales and…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 9 minutes

ST Engineering to Deliver a Suite of Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Systems for Singaporean Navy

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that it has been awarded contracts by Singapore Ministry of Defence to deliver a suite of Mine Countermeasure…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Illegal Migration to Europe in the First Quarter of 2025

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has published statistics on attempted illegal crossings of the EU’s external borders…

2025-05-05 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Galvion’s European Production Hub in Poland is declared Fully Operational

Canadian-based Galvion company has announced that their European Production Hub in Poland is now fully operational.

2025-04-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

ST Engineering to Deliver a Suite of Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Systems for Singaporean Navy

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that it has been awarded contracts by Singapore Ministry of Defence to deliver a suite of Mine Countermeasure…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

L3Harris Technologies Radios for the Czech Republic

The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale to the Czech Republic of a package including a large number of handheld,…

2025-05-06 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

CV90 Among Topics in Swedish-Lithuanian Defense Talks

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas paid a visit to Stockholm, where he held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on defense…

2025-04-23 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Media: Australian Abrams Tanks for Ukraine Delayed

As reported by the Australian public broadcaster ABC, the delivery of 49 M1A1SA Abrams tanks promised last year to the Armed Forces…

2025-03-25 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

WB Group Delivered Components for ESA Satellites

WB Group delivered primary structures for the CHIME satellite developed by Thales Alenia Space on behalf of the European Space Agency…

2025-05-06 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Creotech Instruments to Build the National Satellite Constellation CAMILA

The Polish company Creotech Instruments has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to build a national constellation of at least…

2025-04-15 | Redakcja | 4 minutes
Shooting

Direct Action Curtiss — chest rig for a heavier caliber

Direct Action offers a variety of chest rigs, each optimized for specific tasks. The Curtiss model is designed to carry three HK…

2025-04-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

New logo of Belgian arms manufacturer FN

The Belgian company FN (part of the FN Browning Group) has presented a new company logo and brand tagline.

2025-04-18 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Michael F. Dineen Promoted to President of Streamlight

Streamlight, Inc. announced that it has promoted Michael F. Dineen to President. Formerly Chief Revenue Officer, Dineen succeeds Raymond L. Sharrah.

2025-04-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X and TLR-8 HL-X sub

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X flashlight with an integrated laser sight, producing a beam with up to 1,000 lumens of power, offering…

2025-03-18 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Direct Action Curtiss — chest rig for a heavier caliber

Direct Action offers a variety of chest rigs, each optimized for specific tasks. The Curtiss model is designed to carry three HK…

2025-04-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025: Source Tactical with Ballistic Protection for Women

At the Source Tactical booth, not only popular hydration systems were showcased, but also personal ballistic protection—including armor specifically designed…

2025-02-26 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

New logo of Belgian arms manufacturer FN

The Belgian company FN (part of the FN Browning Group) has presented a new company logo and brand tagline.

2025-04-18 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Semi-automatic designated marksman rifle MSBS Grot .308 S20 for civilian shooters

Fabryka Broni Łucznik-Radom, a member of the Polish Armaments Group, has introduced the semi-automatic designated marksman rifle MSBS Grot .308 S20…

2025-03-11 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

TEST: Direct Action Vanguard Uniform

The Vanguard is a uniform set from the Polish brand Direct Action, designed in collaboration with special forces soldiers. There are…

2025-01-19 | Michał Gaweł | 18 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

Hanwha Aerospace provides details of the offer of cooperation in the production of AHS K9PL

Hanwha Aerospace presented some details regarding the industrial cooperation offer for the production of self-propelled howitzers K9 for Poland.

Billy BooHwan Lee, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, emphasizes that Hanwha Aerospace has extensive experience in cooperation with the Polish defense industry. In 2013, cooperation began on the development and implementation of the chassis for the Krab self-propelled howitzer, which is directly derived from the chassis of the K9 self-propelled howitzer. In many respects, these chassis are very similar.

Following another aggression by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022, the Polish side, seeking to enhance its defense capabilities, reached an agreement with the South Korean industry, and Hanwha Aerospace began cooperation in developing a version of the K9 self-propelled howitzer meeting the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces (K9PL). 

From A1 to A3

Representatives of Hanwha Aerospace emphasize their willingness to engage in industrial cooperation in the production of the K9 howitzer. These vehicles have found customers not only in Poland but also in other countries, including Finland, Estonia, and Norway in our region alone. Each time, the K9 has been adapted to meet local requirements. Due to the short timeframe of the initial order from Poland, the vehicles delivered to our country in the first batches are in the K9A1 standard developed for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea. However, they are fitted with the TOPAZ fire control and command system as well as the Fonet communication system provided by the Polish WB Group. Subsequently, vehicles developed according to Polish requirements in the K9PL version will be delivered to Poland.

The K9 self-propelled howitzer is being developed and modernized according to the requirements of the Korean army. During the opening of the office in Warsaw, representatives of Hanwha Aerospace Europe reminded that advanced work is underway on the K9A2 version, which will have an automated loading system. This will reduce the crew composition to three persons. At the same time, thanks to new types of ammunition, the range of engaging targets will increase from approximately 40 km for the K9A1 version to 54 km for the K9A2 version.

However, the development program of the K9 howitzer does not end there. Work is also underway on the next version, designated as the K9A3. It will be a significantly more automated vehicle. Its crew is intended to consist of two persons, with a fully crewless option that will be controlled remotely. The engagement range for targets planned for the K9A3 AHS is estimated by the Koreans to be from 70 to 100 km.

Second Executive Agreement

As part of the work on the K9PL version, the Korean side is incorporating a greater number of systems supplied by Polish manufacturers into the equipment of these vehicles. Self-propelled howitzers produced under the second executive agreement will be equipped with laser warning receivers produced by PCO and smoke grenade launchers produced by Dezamet. Additionally, the air conditioning system will be supplied by Webasto, and the ventilation filtration system will be provided by Radiotechnika Marketing.

As part of the technology transfer, Hanwha Aerospace intends, under the second executive agreement, to provide Poland with the technology for manufacturing modular charges with ignition systems and propellant charges. Under the same agreement, Koreans propose establishing a supply chain for joint European projects. Polish manufacturers would also engage in producing components for the K9 howitzers for other customers on our continent.

Third Executive Agreement

Under the third executive agreement, the Polish industry would be responsible for a larger scope of K9PL production, in addition to the Polish suppliers mentioned in previous agreements. Steel supply would be handled by Cognor, Walcownia Stali Batory, and Huta Stali Jakościowych from Stalowa Wola. The chassis construction would be carried out by ZRE Katowice. Suspension systems would be supplied by Borimex. According to the Korean proposal, Huta Stalowa Wola would be responsible for the production of the barrel, assembly, integration, and testing.

Furthermore, as Robert Szelenbaum, the program manager at Hanwha Aerospace Europe, informs, structural changes are planned for the chassis of the K9PL units produced under the third executive agreement, aiming to unify them with the chassis supplied for the Krab self-propelled howitzers. Therefore, the chassis will ultimately be the same as those used for Polish self-propelled howitzers.


Photos: Grzegorz Sobczak, MILMAG

The offer from Hanwha Aerospace concerning the third executive agreement also includes a proposal for the involvement of the Polish industry in the development of the new K9A2 version and the next-generation self-propelled howitzer. Additionally, matters regarding ammunition production are being addressed.

Through Technology Transfer, Hanwha Aerospace intends to support Poland in securing the production capability of modular 155mm charges. Technological cooperation in the production of 155mm ammunition, along with service, production, and development capabilities for the KRAB and K9 platforms, will provide a comprehensive solution for the artillery sector. Technology Transfer will also establish manufacturing competencies based on Polish defense sector companies. As a result, the production of 155mm ammunition from Polish materials will be possible, significantly strengthening production capacity and ensuring independence and self-sufficiency in meeting Poland’s defense needs, say representatives of Hanwha Aerospace Europe.

In addition to production cooperation, Hanwha Aerospace will ensure technology transfer enabling full technical support to be conducted by Polish entities. Currently, technical support is provided by Korean personnel working in our country. Robert Szelenbaum announces that this year, the training of the first group of Polish specialists will be completed, and they will gradually take over technical support from the Korean side.

In addition, there will be a logistics center to ensure smooth delivery of spare parts. Its location has not yet been disclosed. It is only known that it will be located near Warsaw, and its task will be to support the operation of K9 howitzers not only in Poland but also in the entire region.

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