Hanwha Aerospace announced that it has signed an additional executive contract with Polish Armaments Agency. This agreement is the second executive contract, following the framework contract and first executive contract, both signed in 2022. The contract, worth around KRW 3.45 trillion (USD 2.6 billion), outlines the delivery of K9 self-propelled howitzers,ammunition, and the transfer of technology to streamline local production of maintenance parts for weapon systems, as well as technical support to maintain,renovate and modernise the Polish defence industry. As part of the agreement, Hanwha Aerospace will supply Poland with 152 K9 self-propelled howitzers and an Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package for maintenance. The contract also covers the supply of 155mm howitzer self-propelled ammunition packages.
An official from Hanwha Aerospace stated,”Hanwha Aerospace takes pride in our ongoing commitment to delivering deterrence solutions to key regions with urgent demand. We are dedicated to working with our Polish partners to ensure effective and cost-saving solutions to strengthen their defence capabilities.”
The company is committed to integrating advanced defence technologies into the fabric of the Polish defence landscape. The collaboration aims to significantly contribute to the growth and modernisation of Poland’s defence industry, while also fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between Hanwha Aerospace and its Polish partners. Hanwha aims to fortify a partnership that not only meets Poland’s immediate defence needs, but also fosters long-term resilience and innovation in the country’s defence sector. Hanwha Aerospace has decades of experience designing, developing, testing successfully manufacturing modern equipment of land forces. The company is adopting a cooperative approach to support the localisation of K9 package delivery, a private cooperation aimed at expediting the achievement of the Polish Army’s goals.
The K9 Thunder is a South Korean 155 mm self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development and private corporations including Dongmyeong Heavy Industries, Kia Heavy Industry, Poongsan Corporation, and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace. On 27 July 2022, Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and Hanwha Defense signed a framework agreement to supply 672 K9A1 and K9PL. Poland will also produce AHS Krab in parallel; the deliveries of the existing order will be completed by 2026. On 26 August 2022, an executive contract of $2.4 billion was signed to acquire 212 K9A1 manufactured by Hanwha Defense as a first batch order. Poland loaned 70% of the total purchase cost, which includes K2 Black Panther, K9 Thunder, and FA-50, from the South Korean banks.
