Estonia has signed MOU to purchase K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer from South Korea 10802171

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Defense & Security News - Estonia
 
Estonia has signed MOU to purchase K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer from South Korea
The Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Riho Terras has signed a memorandum of understanding in Seoul on Monday, February 6, 2017 to start the negotiations to purchase the South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers according to the Estonian Public Broadcasting website.
     
     
Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Riho Terras and Minister of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Lee Young-geol visited together the production facilities of the K9 artillery system manufacturer Hanwha Techwin in Changwon.

The new K9 Thunder 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer will replace the towed 155mm in service with the Estonian army. Currently, the artillery units of Estonian armed forces use the FH-70, a 155mm towed howitzer.

Estonia intends to purchase 12 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers from South Korea to improve setup time as well as maneuverability of artillery unit of Estonia.

During his visit the Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces also discussed with his counterpart the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Lee Soon-jin about defense cooperation and cyber defense.

The K9 Thunder has a turret mounted at the rear of the chassis which is armed with a 155 m/52 calibre cannon. The K9 can fire three rounds in 15 seconds with a maximum rate of fire of six to eight rounds a minute for a period of 3 minutes.

The K9 has a crew of five, driver at the front of the hull and four in the turret, consisting of commander, gunner, assistant gunner, and ammunition loader.