Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen has approved the Defence Forces’ procurement proposal to procure 5 Hanwha Defense K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers in 2021 and has authorised the Defence Forces Logistics Command to procure five additional ones in 2022.
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K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer of the Finnish Defence Forces (Picture source: Finnish MoD)

February 2017 marked the signing of a 146-million-euro agreement that authorized the Finnish Defence Forces to procure 48 pieces of surplus 155mm K9 howitzers from South Korea. This procurement was realized as part of the Operational Artillery programme which was launched back in 2014 with the objective to replace artillery equipment that will be decommissioned. The set aim was to land with a far-ranging and mobile artillery system with which to effectively support the operational forces. In practice, this equaled a 155-mm tracked or wheeled artillery piece with a life cycle service span extending into the 2050s.

The capability specifications of a given weapons system are influenced by a number of factors. Thus research results, field tests and use case experiences accrued over the past twenty years concerning the current artillery systems need to be combined as part of an extensive operational entity.

The beginning of the Operational Artillery programme involved examining several options. The request for information (RFI) that was submitted generated responses from a number of countries and manufacturers. During the phase of request for quotation (RFQ) it turned out that South Korea was interested in offering their surplus of K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. As a result, the K9 became available for field tests in Rovajärvi in November 2016. Having completed the tests, the Finnish Defence Forces suggested that Finland procure surplus K9 self-propelled howitzers complemented by the build-up of a new unit type, namely, a heavy sel-propelled howitzer battery. Apart from the procured howitzers, the said unit will need, among other things, systems of firing control, command and control as well as combat service supply. To complement this materiel acquisition, it is also necessary to draft training instructions and safety regulations and to train personnel and conscripts.

Fire test with the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer (Picture source: Finnish MoD)