Both Norway and Finland have purchased the K9 155 mm self-propelled howitzer from South Korea. The signing of this agreement facilitates an easier collaboration between Norway and Finland when it comes to the shipment of spare parts between the two nations, all without the need for an approval from South Korea. This agreement will aid in the enhancement of Norwegian and Finnish defence capabilities in the north. Finland and Norway have a longstanding history of collaboration when it comes to the maintenance of K9 systems. Before the signing of this new agreement, the procedure was bureaucratic, comprehensive, and time-consuming. A signed application had to be mailed to South Korea before any reserved parts could be moved between Norway and Finland. Now the two nations can simply send a report, after the spare parts have been delivered. The agreement allows two nations to freely transfer spare parts between the countries, even though this involves military material, where restrictions are typically imposed by the originating nation, South Korea. Finland and Norway have several common equipment and weapon systems.
“The direct results of this agreement are that artillery vehicles will be operational in a shorter span of time. This will aid our defence capabilities and leave us less vulnerable. We will continue our work in arranging similar agreements such as this with other nations that deliver weapon systems to Nordic states. Here, South Korea has taken the lead. Now that Finland is a member of NATO, our collaboration is more important than ever, and this arrangement will further enhance our defence capabilities. When Sweden becomes a member of NATO, the cooperation between our countries enters a new phase. Anything that contributes to simplifying and facilitating collaboration across borders is crucial for preparedness. Now, the work continues to identify additional opportunities for simplification. At the same time, the Defense will collaborate even more closely with Finland on the K9 and other shared equipment systems,” states the Norwegian Minister of Defence.
In July 2016, the Finnish Ministry of Defence announced that an undisclosed number of used K9s have been selected to be acquired from the Republic of Korea. On 17 February 2017, the Ministry of Defense announced that Finland will acquire 48 used K9s over a period of seven years starting in 2018, with conscript training on the equipment commencing in 2019. On 2 March 2017, final contract of value of €145 million ($160 million) was signed by two governments in Seoul, South Korea. On 21 October 2021, Finnish Ministry of Defense authorized exercising option to purchase 10 additional units including spare parts and supplies—5 in 2021 and another 5 in 2022—for €30 million, increasing the fleet size to 58 vehicles. On 18 November 2022 Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen authorized purchase of another 38 vehicles for €134 million. The official Finnish designation of the howitzer is 155 PSH K9 FIN, colloquially called Moukari (meaning Sledgehammer).
In December 2017, a contract of $230 million was signed between Hanwha Land Systems and the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, for supplying 24 K9 Thunder and 6 K10 ARV by 2020. The K9 outperformed competitors in various weather and terrain conditions according to Norwegian military officials during trials. The Norwegian variant was named K9 VIDAR (Versatile InDirect ARtillery system), and is based on the K9A1 configuration. It differs from the K9A1 by changing the BTCS to a Norwegian ODIN fire support system and radio communication systems for NATO operation. It mounts the gunner’s sight for direct firing, and installed spall liner for additional protection.In November 2022, Norway used an option signed in 2017, to purchase 4 K9s and 8 K10s, increasing its total vehicles to 28 K9s and 14 K10s (2:1 ratio). The delivery is expected to be completed in 2 years.
