Defence & Space

IDET 2025: Rheinmetall Unveils Panzerjäger Tank Destroyer

The German group Rheinmetall AG unveiled the Panzerjäger 4×4 multi-role vehicle at the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair (IDET)…

2025-05-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 minutes

IDET 2025: Auto Podlasie offers AERO to Czech airborne forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair (IDET) 2025 in the Czech Republic, the company Auto-Podlasie presented its AERO…

2025-05-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

IDET 2025: Rheinmetall Unveils Panzerjäger Tank Destroyer

The German group Rheinmetall AG unveiled the Panzerjäger 4×4 multi-role vehicle at the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair (IDET)…

2025-05-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 minutes

Japan Ready for Licensed Production of Patria AMV XP 8×8

The Finnish company Patria Oyj has announced that in September, its Japanese partners at Japan Steel Works will begin licensed…

2025-05-24 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 minutes

IDET 2025: Rheinmetall Unveils Panzerjäger Tank Destroyer

The German group Rheinmetall AG unveiled the Panzerjäger 4×4 multi-role vehicle at the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair (IDET)…

2025-05-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 minutes

IDET 2025: Auto Podlasie offers AERO to Czech airborne forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair (IDET) 2025 in the Czech Republic, the company Auto-Podlasie presented its AERO…

2025-05-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Rheinmetall Unveils Panzerjäger Tank Destroyer

The German group Rheinmetall AG unveiled the Panzerjäger 4×4 multi-role vehicle at the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair (IDET)…

2025-05-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 2 minutes

IDET 2025: Auto Podlasie offers AERO to Czech airborne forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair (IDET) 2025 in the Czech Republic, the company Auto-Podlasie presented its AERO…

2025-05-28 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Leonardo and Weststar Join Forces to Supply Helicopters to Malaysia

During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Italian company Leonardo and Malaysian firm Weststar…

2025-05-20 | 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

CANSEC 2025: Rheinmetall to display its military solutions to protect the Arctic

Rheinmetall is set to impress attendees at Canada’s foremost defence industry event by displaying the Rheinmetall Mission Master CXT with tethered drone…

2025-05-28 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Another Meeting at the Polish Ministry of National Defence with a Delegation from South Korea’s DAPA

Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda met with Deputy Minister of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA),…

2025-05-14 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

Airbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have signed a Declaration of…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

ICEYE and IHI start cooperation to develop SAR satellite constellation in Japan

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Japanese IHI Corporation are beginning cooperation in the construction of a constellation of up to 24…

2025-05-22 | Redakcja | 3 minutes
Shooting

The New SIG Sauer P320 M.O.D.

Joining the P320 pistol family is the P320 M.O.D., which is designed to combine the features of a sport pistol with the…

2025-05-19 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

The Special Edition CZ 75 RAF

CZ is introducing a special limited-edition model for collectors: the CZ 75 RAF. These pistols were created as a tribute to the Czechoslovak…

2025-05-19 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 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

IWA 2025: Leupold’s New Products

In a short video report from IWA OutdoorClassics 2025, a Leupold representative discusses the key new products for this year.

2025-03-10 | Michał Ihnatów | 1 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 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

The New SIG Sauer P320 M.O.D.

Joining the P320 pistol family is the P320 M.O.D., which is designed to combine the features of a sport pistol with the…

2025-05-19 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

The Special Edition CZ 75 RAF

CZ is introducing a special limited-edition model for collectors: the CZ 75 RAF. These pistols were created as a tribute to the Czechoslovak…

2025-05-19 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 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

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 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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