Finland has agreed to purchase 112 K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea in a deal valued at €546.8 million, as part of efforts to strengthen its land forces and replace ageing artillery systems.
The agreement was signed in Helsinki between the Finnish Ministry of Defence and representatives of South Korea’s state agency Kotra.
The acquisition includes used K9 howitzers along with spare parts and maintenance systems.
The equipment will undergo modifications in Finland before entering service with the army.
The Ministry of Defence said the purchase will improve the army’s ability to support operations with long-range artillery. The systems will replace part of Finland’s older towed artillery.
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the deal expands cooperation with South Korea and increases Finland’s role among countries operating the K9 system. “We are acquiring a significant amount of artillery equipment for the army,” he stated on social media.
Finland has previously acquired 96 K9 howitzers, with the first order placed in 2017. Training for conscripts on the system began in 2019. The platform is also used by several European countries, including Norway, Estonia and Poland.
The K9 system forms part of a broader modernisation programme for the Finnish Army outlined in the government’s defence policy plans. Officials said the latest purchase will strengthen firepower and improve operational readiness.
The deal comes as Finland continues to invest in defence capabilities following heightened security concerns in the region. The Ministry of Defence described the agreement as a step in long-term cooperation between Helsinki and Seoul.
Separately, Finnish authorities are seeking €35 million in European Union funding to strengthen protection against unmanned aerial vehicles. The funding would support the acquisition of systems to detect and counter drones along the eastern border and in the Gulf of Finland.
The Interior Ministry said the proposed systems would improve monitoring of airspace following recent incidents in which drones entered Finnish territory. The European Commission would cover up to 90 per cent of the costs if the application is approved.
HT