Poland orders more K-9 howitzers from Korea in $2.6B deal

Artillery shells are fired from K-9 self-propelled howitzers at a firing range in a joint ROK-U.S. military exercise held at training grounds in Pocheon, Gyeonggi. [NEWS1]

Hanwha Aerospace, a Korean defense company, has signed a 3.45 trillion won ($2.62 billion) contract with the Polish government to provide 152 K-9 self-propelled howitzers to Poland by 2027.

The deal forged with the country's Armament Agency is part of a larger framework agreement reached between Hanwha and Poland in July of 2022 to supply 672 K-9 howitzers and 288 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers. The first contract was signed in August last year.

Under the second deal, Hanhwa has pledged to offer comprehensive, integrated logistics support for the maintenance of K-9 units and collaborate on the Polish production of maintenance parts for the military vehicles, according to Hanwha on Monday.

A Hanwha official said the latest contract has helped the company forge a "deep trust" with Poland and "provide the foundation for a continued and ongoing cooperative relationship."

BY KIM JU-YEON, YONHAP [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]