SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) -South Korea will export an additional 112 K9 self-propelled howitzers to Finland under a government-to-government (G2G) deal valued at 546 million euros ($634 million), marking a follow-up order from the Nordic country after its initial purchase in 2017.
The agreement was signed in Helsinki between the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, representing the Korean government, and Finland’s defense ministry, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
Under the contract, Hanwha Aerospace will supply 112 K9 howitzers. Finland previously acquired 96 units through a similar G2G agreement in 2017.
The latest deal follows about seven months of negotiations involving KOTRA, Hanwha Aerospace, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Korean embassy in Finland.
Officials from both sides attended the signing ceremony, including KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung and Oli Ruutu, director general for resource policy at Finland’s defense ministry.
The K9 howitzer has been in operation in Finland for eight years, where it has been deployed in harsh conditions including extreme cold and heavy snowfall. The additional order reflects continued confidence in the system’s mobility and firepower under such environments, officials said.
The G2G export framework allows the Korean government to participate directly in contracts alongside private firms, supporting negotiations, legal reviews and communication with the purchasing country. The structure is designed to reduce risks for exporters and improve transparency in the contracting process.
The follow-up order comes as South Korea’s defense exports continue to expand in Europe amid shifting security dynamics, including strains within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and heightened geopolitical tensions following Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The K9 howitzer is currently operated by more than 10 countries, including six NATO members.
Upon increasing demand, Hanwha Aerospace has been ramping up manufacturing base in Europe.
In February, the company began construction of a production facility in Romania, dubbed “H-ACE Europe,” to manufacture K9 howitzers and K10 ammunition resupply vehicles locally.
The facility will include assembly, testing and maintenance capabilities, with localization rates targeted at up to 80 percent. Romania signed a deal in 2024 to purchase 54 K9 units and 36 K10 vehicles, becoming the 10th member of the K9 user group and the sixth NATO country to operate the system.
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