The Defense Company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and South Korean enterprise Hanwha Defense have signed a memorandum of understanding, which specifies the partnership at production, servicing, life-cycle cost and future development of K9 self-propelled howitzers as well as two additional fields of cooperation: infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) and multiple launch rocket systems. Memorandum, signed on the 2nd day of MSPO’22 fair in Kielce is another milestone in Polish defence industry partnership with Hanwha Defense. The memorandum specifies the roles within Polish-Korean industrial partnership within project focused on procurement of 672 K9 family self-propelled howitzers. Other fields of future cooperation include cooperation on infantry fighting vehicles and missile artillery, if those solutions will be ordered by Polish Armed Forces.
“I’m very proud that the partnership between Hanwha Defense and PGZ have grown significantly since the 2014 deal over the KRAB SPH development. Both sides have just entered a new phase of expanded cooperation based on the latest Framework Agreement and Executive Contract. I promise Hanwha Defense will work together further with PGZ as the most trusted partner in the Polish market,” said Mr. Son Jaeil, President and CEO of Hanwha Defense. –
“The Polish defence industry has over a decade of fruitful cooperation with Hanwha Defense. The most recognizable effect of this cooperation are the KRAB howitzers, not-so-distant relative of the K9 SPH. Today’s agreement is the next stage of this cooperation, which will translate into the development of both our economies and an increase in the potential of armed forces of our countries,”said Sebastian Chwa?ek, President of the Management Board of PGZ.
K9 project cooperation is focused on maximizing partnership in areas such as: research and development, manufacturing, overhaul and modernization of related solutions for Polish, South Korean and other third party projects. The roadmap of this cooperation includes modernization of K9 howitzers to K9PL standard and joint R&D on next-generation field artillery system. Poland has chosen K9 self-propelled howitzer as it’s replacement of S21 “Go?dzik” howitzers. Ultimately, it is planned to obtain 672 SPH’s, which will be produced, serviced and repaired within PGZ. Memorandum also explores other potential fields of PGZ-Hanwha cooperation – infantry fighting vehicles as well as missile artillery solution, both of which are being considered by Polish Ministry of National Defence. The partnership memorandum signed on 7th is another step on the Polish-Korean partnership roadmap.
