Analysis: Poland and Estonia Protect NATO Eastern Border with K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer.

On October 9, 2024, in a demonstration of enhanced regional cooperation, Polish and Estonian artillery forces joined efforts in the Äkktuli 2024 exercise, highlighting the interoperability of their K9 self-propelled howitzers. Held in Estonia, this joint live-fire exercise showcased how the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF), including conscripts and reservists, effectively integrate allied artillery units into their fire support systems. This collaboration, the first of its kind between Polish and Estonian artillery forces using the K9, reinforces both countries’ commitment to common defense strategies along NATO's eastern flank.
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Poland K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Protecting NATO Eastern Border (Picture source: Poland MoD)

Estonia and Poland have recently strengthened their artillery capabilities by acquiring K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers from South Korea, manufactured by Hanwha Defense. On October 9, the Estonian Defence Forces presented their K9 Thunder units in Tapa, in Lääne-Viru County, marking a step in integrating this artillery into the Artillery Battalion of the 1st Infantry Brigade. This program, with a total cost of €83 million, provides for the delivery of 18 K9s over three years, with the first units having arrived in August 2020. These howitzers will be modified to meet Estonian standards, including added camouflage, standard communication equipment, and auxiliary elements specific to the Estonian army. Once modified, the battalion will become a self-propelled artillery unit with an estimated K9 lifespan of 45 years.

In Poland, the acquisition of the K9 has been on a larger scale, with the recent arrival of twelve K9A1 howitzers, increasing the total number of K9s in service within the Polish army to 108 units. This delivery is part of a $2.5 billion contract signed in August 2022 with Hanwha Aerospace for a total of 212 K9 artillery systems, including ammunition, spare parts, training, and logistical support, with delivery expected by 2026. In 2023, Poland signed a second contract worth $2.6 billion for an additional 152 units, including 146 K9PL units adapted to Polish specifications, thus reinforcing its technological sovereignty and integration of locally manufactured equipment.

The K9A1, an upgraded version of the K9 Thunder, includes notable improvements such as an advanced inertial navigation system, optimized fire control, and enhanced connectivity, offering increased precision and responsiveness in networked warfare environments. These upgrades enhance the artillery system’s effectiveness and speed. For the Polish K9PL version, specific adaptations meet the operational requirements of the Polish Armed Forces, including the integration of the FONET communication system and TOPAZ fire control system from WB Group, ensuring seamless interoperability with local forces.

The K9PL is distinguished by enhanced fire capabilities, with a 155 mm gun capable of delivering precise fire support over distances up to 55 kilometers when using rocket-assisted projectiles, with a firing rate of six rounds per minute. This version is also compatible with a wide range of warheads, making it adaptable to various tactical missions. Built on a tracked chassis, the K9PL offers excellent all-terrain mobility, powered by a 1,000-horsepower engine, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 67 km/h and cover a range of nearly 360 kilometers.

In defense matters, Poland and Estonia are intensifying their military cooperation to strengthen regional security and deter potential threats, particularly from Russia. This collaboration is part of a common defense strategy within NATO, where both countries share strategic objectives to stabilize Eastern Europe. Joint exercises, such as Äkktuli 2024, illustrate this willingness to work together by integrating their forces, notably through the use of K9 howitzers for live-fire exercises and coordinated tactical maneuvers. In parallel, Poland and Estonia signed the Baltic Border Defense Agreement during a 2022 meeting between their defense ministers in Tallinn. This agreement provides for the construction of a defense barrier along their respective borders with Russia and Belarus, integrating physical barriers, surveillance systems, and advanced sensors to prevent incursions and reinforce border security. These initiatives allow both countries not only to exchange expertise and strengthen their military capacity but also to build a concrete defense line to protect the Baltic region, thus contributing to NATO's collective defense.

The Äkktuli 2024 exercise is an annual military training event organized by the Estonian Defence Forces, aimed at strengthening artillery units' skills and readiness in simulated combat conditions. This year’s edition included live-fire and tactical maneuvers involving Estonian conscripts and reservists, as well as allied artillery forces, notably from Poland. This exercise allows participants to improve their indirect fire and allied coordination skills while testing the interoperability of modern weapon systems like the K9 self-propelled howitzers, which are crucial for strengthening collective defense along NATO’s eastern flank.

The integration of K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers into Estonian and Polish forces significantly enhances interoperability between the two nations, improving their ability to operate jointly within a regional defense framework. By adapting the K9s to local specifications, Poland and Estonia facilitate better synchronization of communication and fire control systems, essential elements for smooth cooperation during joint exercises or deployments. The Polish K9PL version, with its FONET communication system and TOPAZ fire control system, is perfectly compatible with Polish defense infrastructures, while Estonian K9s are modified to integrate the equipment and protocols of the Estonian army. These adjustments allow both forces to use common procedures and systems, reducing the risk of desynchronization during combined fire operations and mutual support. Furthermore, increased interoperability ensures a faster and more coordinated response to potential threats in the Baltic region, thus strengthening NATO's defensive posture along its eastern flank.

The K9 self-propelled howitzers used by Estonian and Polish forces offer a major tactical advantage by enabling powerful and rapid concentration of fire, capable of neutralizing any limited incursion attempt through Baltic defense lines. With their mobility and high firing rate, the K9s can quickly position themselves and deliver intense fire salvos on priority targets, preventing enemy breakthroughs before they can threaten the region’s defensive depth. This rapid firepower projection capability is essential for the Baltic defensive strategy, designed to slow down or even halt any potential invasion, maintaining solid front lines and complicating any adversarial advance.

Estonia K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Protecting NATO Eastern Border  (Picture source: Estonia MoD)