Hanwha Protection signed an execution contract on August 26 to provide K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPHs) to Poland. Valued some $2.4 billion, the contract is the primary part of the framework settlement, signed in late July, as a part of the efforts to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces. Underneath the most recent contract, Hanwha Protection will provide a bundle of K9 SPHs and 155mm artillery ammunition, together with coaching and logistics assist, between 2022 and 2026, with a follow-up execution contract anticipated to be sealed as early as by the top of this yr. The contract is the most important within the historical past of K9 SPH’s international exports, as 9 international locations – South Korea, Turkey, Poland, India, Finland, Norway, Estonia, Australia and Egypt – have ordered the K9 since 2001.
“Poland can be a hub base for Hanwha’ international enlargement, particularly in Europe. Our aim is to ascertain stronger partnerships with NATO members and native companies in Europe based mostly on belief and cooperation,” mentioned Lee Boo-hwan, Govt Vice President of Hanwha Protection’s Abroad Enterprise Division.
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“At this time’s signing of the Execution Contract with Poland is a big milestone in advancing the long-standing partnership between Hanwha Protection and Poland. Hanwha Protection would be the most dependable companion for Poland and is absolutely dedicated to contributing to Poland’s army modernisation and the expansion of the native defence trade,” mentioned Son Jaeil, CEO and President of Hanwha Protection.
A signing ceremony was held at a army base within the northern Poland city of Morag, attended by distinguished visitors together with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Mariusz B?aszczak; Eom Dong-hwan, Minister of South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration; Yoo Dong-joon, head of the South Korean Ministry of Nationwide Protection’s Workplace of Navy Pressure and Sources Administration; Son Jaeil, CEO and President of Hanwha Protection; and Sebastian Chwalek, Chairman of the Polish defence group, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ). The bilateral partnership has grown with the profitable AHS Krab SPH improvement challenge beneath which Hanwha Protection provided the K9 chassis to assist the native trade manufacture the Krab self-propelled gun for the Polish army. The success of the Krab programme has proved that defence collaboration between Hanwha Protection and Poland works very successfully.
Hanwha Protection will open a Polish enterprise workplace by the yr’s finish in an effort to broaden its footprint within the European market, in addition to solidify the partnership additional with Warsaw. Hanwha Protection has already signed contracts with 4 NATO member international locations – Turkey, Poland, Norway and Estonia – to provide the K9 artillery techniques and is about to bid for the UK Cell Fires Platform programme. Developed by the South Korean state-funded Company for Protection Improvement and Hanwha Protection in 1998, the K9 Thunder is by far essentially the most technologically confirmed SPH answer with the market share of 52 p.c within the international SPH market. Over 1,700 K9 models are at the moment in service with seven international locations. Australia, Egypt and Poland are to function tons of of extra K9s in coming years, in order that K9’s market share is prone to enhance to a larger extent.
