Finland buys K9 howitzers from South Korea
Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's
Defence Weekly
17 February 2017
Finland will purchase K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled
howitzers from South Korea, the country's defence ministry (MoD) confirmed on
17 February.
According to the MoD announcement, Finnish
defence minister Jussi Niinistö has approved the purchase of 48 former South
Korean Army K9s at a cost of EUR146 million (USD155 million). The MoD stated
this includes training, spares, and maintenance. The contract also includes
options for the procurement of additional K9s, the MoD added.
The move has been expected since the MoD
announced in July 2016 it was beginning direct negotiations with South Korea to
buy K9s. At the time, the MoD said the choice to pursue the K9 over other
options on the market was due to price, and the compatibility of the system
with a conscription-based military. The Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) have been
conducting trials of the K9 since late 2016, some of which Jane's witnessed.
Deliveries of the howitzers to Finland are
due to begin during 2017, in order to begin staff training this year. Finnish
conscripts are due to begin being trained on the K9 in 2019, while deliveries
of all 48 systems are due to be completed by 2024. This timeline accords with
previously released Finnish plans to declare initial operating capability with
a new howitzer in 2020 and full operating capability in 2025.
Purchasing the K9 will enable Finland to
phase out the majority of its old Soviet-designed artillery systems. Currently
the FDF operate a number of Soviet-era and -calibre artillery pieces, including
the towed 130 mm M-46, self-propelled 152 mm 2S5 Giatsint-S, towed 122 mm D-30,
and self-propelled 122 mm 2S1 Gvozdika. The K9s are expected to supplement the
FDF's existing NATO-calibre artillery pieces, including its towed 155 mm 155 GH
52 APU systems.
Although not mentioned by the MoD, it is
expected that the K9s will need to go through an overhaul, modification, and
modernisation process before entering FDF service.
Original post: janes.com
Deliveries of the howitzers to Finland are due to begin during 2017, in order to begin staff training this year. Finnish conscripts are due to begin being trained on the K9 in 2019, while deliveries of all 48 systems are due to be completed by 2024. This timeline accords with previously released Finnish plans to declare initial operating capability with a new howitzer in 2020 and full operating capability in 2025.
Related post:
K-9 Thunder: Details
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