The Norwegian Armed Forces will receive a new K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers, Norway’s defence ministry announced on 20 December.
According to the Norwegian defence ministry, the Norwegian government signed a contract with Hanwha Land Systems to supply two dozen K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers.
Under the 245.2 billion won ($226.6 million) deal, Hanwha Land Systems will deliver 24 K9 howitzers and six K10 ammunition resupply vehicles by 2020.
“By winning the export deal over European rivals, the company’s K9 self-propelled howitzer has received global recognition,” Hanwha Land Systems CEO Son Jae-il said in a statement. “The company will continue its efforts to win an order from Estonia,” Son added.
More: S. Korea poised to sign deal to export K9 howitzer to Asian country
The K9 Thunder is a self-propelled howitzer developed by Hanwha Land Systems (Samsung Techwin) for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. This artillery system entered service in 1999. Some sources report that over 300 of these howitzers are already in service with the Republic of Korea Army.
The main weapon is the 155mm / 52 calibre gun. It has a burst rate of fire of three rounds per 15 seconds and a maximum rate of fire of six to eight rounds a minute for three minutes.
More: Poland orders new South Korean self-propelled howitzers chassis
In February 2017, the Finnish defence minister Jussi Niinistö has also announced the purchase of 48 South Korean K9s artillery howitzers for a total amount of €146 million ($155 million).
