Estonia Receives S.Korean K9 Howitzers

The Estonian military have taken delivery of South Korea-built K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers on Friday.

The country ordered 12 K9s in 2018 and is planning to buy six moreof these howitzers.

Training with the two newly delivered K9 howitzers will start in 2021 after they have been fitted with an Estonian camouflage scheme and communication equipment.

K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer

K9 Thunder South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer is designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha. K9 howitzers operate in groups with the K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicle variant. Development of K9A2 variant is currently in process.

The K9 can fire its first round within 30 seconds from the moment it first receives firing information from the Fire Direction Center (FDC) while in emplaced situation. While moving, it can fire after 60 seconds. After firing, K9 Thunder can quickly move away from its last position in anticipation of the enemy’s counter fire, before firing its next shot.