The Estonian Centre for Defence Funding has signed a contract with a complete quantity of €36 million to amass an extra twelve K9EST Kou (Lightning) self-propelled howitzers from South Korean arms producer Hanwha Aerospace. The primary self-propelled artillery models of this kind arrived in Estonia in 2020. The preliminary contract concerned the procurement of 24 self-propelled howitzers for Estonia however a call was subsequently made to amass 12 extra K9 Thunders, the ultimate supply of which ought to happen in 2026. Coaching on the usage of K9 Thunders for representatives of the Estonian Defence Forces started in South Korea in September 2020. The defence forces now have its personal instructors, below whose supervision, coaching of the primary teams of reservists has taken place.
In 2021, the Estonian Centre for Protection Funding signed a framework settlement with the corporate Go Craft for the modification and reconstruction of 24 self-propelled howitzers, which is part of the method of integrating the models with the techniques of the Estonian Defence Forces. Go Craft, in cooperation with the Defence Forces and K9 producer Hanwha Techwin, have developed two prototypes for the self-propelled howitzers which have efficiently accomplished a check interval within the Defence Forces. The works to be carried out embody the set up of communication and management techniques, portray, alternative of the fireplace extinguishing system, adaptation of {the electrical} system and the set up of extra equipment.
Commercial
Estonia was invited by Finland in teaming up for the procurement of the K9, to scale back the acquisition price for each nations. Benefitted by group shopping for, the check knowledge of the K9 was supplied and shared to Estonia by Finland, with approval from South Korea. Estonia is anticipated to buy 12 K9s for $50 million. Hanwha will provide 12 used K9s, together with upkeep elements and coaching for €46 million, an identical contract to that of Finland. In August 2021, the Estonian Centre for Protection Funding (RKIK) signed €4.6 million contract with Hanwha Protection and Go Craft in modernizing 24 K9EST Kou, hinting at buying 6 extra for its stock. The improve entails communication techniques, a FCS, portray, hearth suppression system, and electronics.
The K9 Thunder is a South Korean 155 mm self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the Company for Protection Growth and civil contractors together with Dongmyeong Heavy Industries, Kia Heavy Business, Poongsan Company, and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace. K9 howitzers function in teams with the K10 automated ammunition resupply car variant. All the K9 fleet operated by the ROK Armed Forces is now present process upgrades to K9A1, and an extra improve variant K9A2 is being examined for manufacturing. As of 2022, the K9 sequence has had a 52% share of the worldwide self-propelled howitzer market, together with wheeled automobiles, for the reason that yr 2000.
