Spain’s Indra Sistemas has signed a contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace to procure K9 self-propelled howitzers, marking the K9’s entry into Western Europe.
The signed export contract comes after Indra and Hanwha inked a memorandum of understanding in March for the joint development of K9-based artillery systems in support of the Spanish military’s artillery modernization initiative.
While the contract’s value, quantity ordered, and delivery schedule were not disclosed, the deal is estimated to be worth at least 667.5 billion Korean won ($488 million), according to Chosun.
Hanwha is set to receive an initial payment of 20 percent of the contract value upon signing, followed by an additional 5 percent by the end of the year.
Local Design and Production
Under the contract, Indra will design and manufacture the new howitzer in Spain, using Hanwha’s K9 technology as its basis while developing a 100 percent Spanish design tailored to the needs of the Spanish armed forces.
The bulk of the howitzer’s manufacturing, including its hull, will take place at Indra’s El Tallerón plant in Gijón, northern Spain.
Meanwhile, the integration of the remaining components and weapon systems will be conducted at a new Indra plant at an undisclosed location in Spain, which is expected to become operational in 2027, according to Business Insider.
The production facilities are expected to eventually reach a maximum output of about six units per month, with the final deliveries to the Spanish Army scheduled for between 2033 and 2034.
K9 Howitzer in Europe
The K9 is a 155mm tracked howitzer that can reach speeds of 67 kilometers (42 miles) per hour and has a cruising range of more than 360 kilometers (224 miles).
It has been widely adopted by European NATO members, including Estonia, Finland, Norway, Poland, and Romania, as they modernize and expand their artillery capabilities.
In February, Hanwha began construction of a K9 manufacturing facility in Romania as part of efforts to expand its production capacity in Europe.