Hanwha Delivers 24 Advanced K9PL Howitzers to Empower Polish Military
Hanwha Aerospace has triumphantly delivered a consignment of 24 K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers to the Polish Armed Forces, fulfilling the requirements of Poland’s defense capabilities.
Upon their arrival on December 5, the 155mm/52-calibre howitzers, referred to as “K9PL,” were unloaded from a freight vessel at the Port of Gdynia where a welcoming ceremony was set to occur.
The formal event took place on December 6 to commemorate the arrival of K9PLs, attended by Polish governmental leaders including President Andrzej Duda and Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.
Among the South Korean dignitaries were Minister Eom Dong-hwan from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; Deputy Minister Yoo Dong-joon from the Ministry of National Defense; Son Jaeil, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace; and Executive Vice President Lee Boo-hwan of Hanwha Aerospace’s operations in Europe.
“The handover of K9PLs signifies a significant milestone in enhancing the collaboration between Hanwha Aerospace and the Polish Government,” remarked Lee Boo-hwan, the head of Hanwha Aerospace’s European division. “Addressing the needs of the Polish Armed Forces is our utmost concern, and we take pride in having rapidly produced and delivered top-quality equipment to Poland.”
The K9PL delivery was accomplished in just about three months after an executive contract was inked in late August. Under the terms of the initial executive contract, Hanwha plans to deliver hundreds of K9PLs by 2026, with intentions to produce several hundred additional K9PLs in Poland starting in 2026, in collaboration with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), the largest defense conglomerate in Poland, which is also responsible for manufacturing the Krab Self-Propelled Howitzer.
Moreover, Hanwha Aerospace intends to establish a state-of-the-art MRO hub in Poland to deliver efficient logistical support to Poland and other K9 user nations throughout Europe.
“It is indisputable that Hanwha Aerospace is the most dependable ally for Poland to enhance its defense capabilities and boost industrial growth,” stated Son Jaeil, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace. “Hanwha is devoted to making Poland a central hub for the supply of K9 systems in Europe, reinforcing our partnership with the Polish Government.”
With the proliferation of countries utilizing K9 artillery systems, Hanwha initiated the K9 User Community in April 2022 to exchange insights on the operation of the K9, encompassing logistics support capabilities. Countries employing the K9 artillery include South Korea, Turkey, Poland, India, Finland, Norway, Estonia, Australia, and Egypt.
The K9 Thunder is recognized as the world’s leading tracked self-propelled artillery, with over 2,000 units already operational worldwide. The howitzer is capable of delivering consistent, precise, rapid impacts at a range of over 40km with high rates and volumes of fire. Notably, the K9 is optimized for “Shoot-and-Scoot” tactics, allowing it to fire multiple rounds and swiftly relocate to evade potential counter-batteries.
In a recent significant development, the K9 and K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle were successfully evaluated by the US Army to affirm their compatibility with various US munitions. The assessment was conducted at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona in mid-September 2022, testing different types of US munitions including 155mm M795 projectiles and XM1113 Rocket Assisted Projectiles.
