Estonia to buy more K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers.

The Estonian Ministry of Defense will buy six more South-Koran-made Hanwha Techwin K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers, after purchasing an initial 12 last year.

Hanwha K9 Thunder (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The initial purchase of 12 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers cost €46 million which included training, maintenance and spare parts and the six additional units will cost another €20 million. "The additional artillery we receive is due, among other things, to lower-than-planned procurement of machine guns and the ability to conduct some planned ammunition and communications procurements with US assistance," Defense minister Jüri Luik told the newspaper.

The U.S. has recently helped Estonia acquire large-caliber ammunition, marine surveillance equipment, intelligence equipment, and communications equipment which the Estonian government has planned to buy by its own resources.