Estonia receives six new South Korean K9 Thunder howitzers to deter Russian pressure.

Estonia’s Ministry of Defence has taken delivery of six additional K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwha Defence, part of a 36-system program worth about 120 million euros. The new guns deepen Estonia’s indirect fire capacity on NATO’s eastern flank, improving counterbattery options and resilience against Russian military pressure.

Estonia has strengthened its front-line artillery, with the Ministry of Defence confirming on 24 November that six new K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers have arrived from South Korea and are now entering national adaptation. The delivery, part of a 36-gun package agreed in the late 2010s, keeps Tallinn on track with a multi-year plan to modernize its artillery regiment and expand the volume, reach, and survivability of indirect fires in a far tenser security environment across Northern Europe.
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For Estonia, the new K9 units expand available indirect fire volume, improve unit responsiveness, and strengthen counterbattery options (Picture source: RKIK)

The six vehicles are transferred directly to the adaptation process carried out by the local company GoCraft, responsible for integrating the systems into Estonia’s operational framework. National requirements include specific standards for secure communications, power management, and cold-weather resilience. Technical teams replace radio suites with systems compatible with domestic command architectures, reinforce insulation in several compartments, and add storage capacity for individual equipment. This involvement supports Estonia’s defence industrial base and provides an offset effect that streamlines long-term maintenance. It also helps maintain short availability cycles, a key factor for batteries deployed across the national territory.

The K9 Thunder has become one of the most widely adopted tracked artillery systems in Europe since 2020. Its 155 mm L52 gun can reach beyond 40 km with conventional ammunition and exceed 50 km when using rocket-assisted projectiles. The platform is powered by a 1,000 hp MTU diesel engine, enabling a top speed of around 67 km/h and an operational range close to 480 km. The rate of fire varies between six and eight rounds per minute thanks to a semi-automatic loading system, while the digital fire control architecture allows rapid emplacement, often in under 30 seconds. The protected turret design provides resistance against fragmentation and small arms fire, an essential feature in environments where counterbattery threats are frequent.

Navigation systems, onboard sensors, and data interfaces support seamless integration into Estonian and allied C2 networks. This compatibility improves synchronization with the Common Operational Picture and enhances interoperability with NATO partners deployed in the region. The K9’s ability to conduct quick firing sequences followed by immediate relocation increases survivability against counterbattery radars. Its capacity to operate under EMCON conditions lowers its electromagnetic signature, a relevant factor given the ISR capabilities deployed by Russian forces near the Alliance’s eastern flank.

For Estonia, the new K9 units expand available indirect fire volume, improve unit responsiveness, and strengthen counterbattery options. The phased arrivals allow the regiment to increase dispersion of assets, modernize older components, and build a more resilient operational posture. New infrastructure and tailored training programs accompany the integration of all 36 systems. This adjustment aligns with broader reforms within the Estonian Defence Forces, including investments in ISR assets, advanced munitions, and upgraded tactical networks.

The reinforcement of Estonian artillery aligns with the broader trend across Eastern Europe, where states are expanding their conventional capabilities to counter Russian military pressure and secure NATO’s eastern perimeter. South Korea has meanwhile gained ground in the European market for land systems, most visibly through its extensive agreement with Poland for K9 howitzers and K2 tanks. This shift illustrates Seoul’s growing presence in Europe’s defence landscape at a time when demand for modern and interoperable artillery continues to rise.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.