A total of 152 K9 self-propelled howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace will be exported to Poland by 2027 under a new deal. Photo courtesy of Hanwha Defense
South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace said Monday it has signed a $2.6 billion deal to deliver 152 K9 self-propelled howitzers to Poland by 2027.
Under the contract, the firm will also provide Poland’s Armaments Agency with 155mm artillery ammunition and logistics support for the K9 howitzers. Advertisement
The Seoul-based company plans to work with Poland to manufacture the parts needed to maintain the K9s in Poland.
The total value of the agreement is 50% more than Hanwha Aerospace’s record-setting sales performance last year of $5 billion.
This is not the first time that Korean defense firms have inked large deals with Poland since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
In August 2022, Hanwha Aerospace won a contract to supply 212 K9 howitzers and 218 Chunmoo launchers to Poland.
During the same month, Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor, announced a deal to ship a total of 180 K2PL, a variant of its K2 Black Panther tank, to Poland by 2025.
A month later, Poland signed a contract to import 48 units of FA-50 light-attack jets from the Korea Aerospace Industries. FA-50 is a variant of the training jet T-50 co-developed with Lockheed Martin. Advertisement
“”Working on established contracts, we will work toward building a lasting mutual trust with Poland,” Hanwha Aerospace said in a statement.
Military observers caution that regime change in Poland could impact arms imports.
Recently, the pro-European Union opposition parties succeeded in forming a coalition, winning a majority in the Oct. 15 generation election in Poland.
