Estonian army begins to arm the South Korean self-propelled howitzers. Estonian Ministry of Defense signed a contract for the acquisition of the presence of the South Korean Army 12 propelled 155-mm / 52 howitzers K9 Thunder, Estonian media reported. Contract value 46 million euros.
According to the available information, K9 howitzer purchased will be delivered to Estonia at the end of the two parties 2020 year and during 2021. They are supposed to equip the artillery battalion of the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Army, on arms which currently cost the German 155 mm / 39 towed howitzer FH-70 and towed Soviet 122 mm D-30 howitzer.
celebrated, that the acquisition of Estonia 12 South Korean K9 ACS will allow it to build a common logistics system with Finland, because the Finns also previously acquired 48 SAU K9.
155-mm / 52 propelled howitzer K9 Thunder designed and made by combining South Korean Samsung Techwin (now Hanwha Land Systems). all with 1999 by 2014 years, the South Korean army has received 1136 SAU K9. and system 2004 Year manufactured under license in Turkey (tanto T-155 Firtina).
K9 Thunder weighs 47 tonnes, powerful diesel in 1000 HP. It provides up to 67 kmh. Power reserve 480 km. 155mm armed K9 weapon with a barrel length 52 caliber, rate up 15 rounds per minute. Crew 5 human.
