The South Korean company Hanwha Defense and the Polish Armaments Group signed a memorandum defining the principles of partnership in the production, servicing, life cycle costs, and future development of self-propelled howitzers K9, infantry fighting vehicles, and multiple rocket launchers. The memorandum was signed on the second day of the MSPO exhibition at the Targi Kielce.
Photos: MSPO Kielce
The memorandum defines the division of roles in the Polish-Korean industrial partnership within the project concerning the purchase of 672 self-propelled howitzers of the K9 family. Other areas include cooperation in infantry fighting vehicles and rocket artillery, in the event such solutions are ordered by the Polish Armed Forces.
The Polish defense industry has already had over a decade of fruitful cooperation with Hanwha Defense. The most recognizable outcome of this partnership is the Krab self-propelled howitzer, a not so distant relative of the K9 howitzer. Today’s agreement is another stage of this cooperation, which will translate into the development of our economies and the growth of the military potential of our countries, said Sebastian Chwałek, President of PGZ.
Photo: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
I am very proud that the partnership between Hanwha Defense and PGZ has grown significantly since the Krab development agreement was signed in 2014, said Son Jaeil, president and CEO of Hanwha Defense.
Poland has chosen the K9 self-propelled howitzer as the successor to the S21 Goździk howitzers. Ultimately, the plan is to acquire 672 vehicles, which will be produced, serviced, and repaired within PGZ. The memorandum also concerns other potential areas of cooperation between PGZ and Hanwha – infantry fighting vehicles and rocket artillery, which are being considered by the Ministry of National Defense.
Photo: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
Press release