Hanwha Ships New Batch of K9s to Norway
17 December, 2024 K9 VIDAR artillery systems for the Norwegian army. December 2024. South Korea.
Source: Hanwha Aerospace Korean Hanwha Aerospace has sent a new batch of K9 VIDAR self-propelled howitzers to Norway. The company's press service told Militarnyi that the batch included four K9s and eight K10 transport and reloading vehicles.
The transfer is part of a 2022 contract for the supply of additional K9 VIDAR and K10 systems. The contract follows the successful implementation of the first contract for 24 K9s and 6 K10s signed in 2017. The artillery systems are expected to arrive in Norway in about two months.
K9 VIDAR artillery systems for the Norwegian army.
December 2024. South Korea. Source: Hanwha Aerospace
"This delivery of the K9 and K10 systems is a key milestone in strengthening the cooperation between Hanwha and Norway, as we are fully committed to the timely production and delivery of products that meet Norwegian requirements," the company representatives explained.
Norway is a key member of the K9 User Club, a strategic platform where countries operating K9 systems can share their knowledge, experience and know-how in the operation, maintenance and training of K9 systems. Since 2001, nine countries--Turkey, India, Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Australia, Egypt and Romania--have ordered K9s, with about 1,800 K9 systems in operation worldwide. Hanwha Aerospace will also build a plant for the production of K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery systems in Romania.
Production of the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled gun.
Photo: joongang
Currently, a branch of the South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace Romania operates in Romania and is looking for partners. The Norwegian version of the K9 was named VIDAR (an acronym for Versatile InDirect ARtillery system), as well as the national fire control system ODIN and radio communications.
K9 Thunder self-propelled guns of the Ground Forces of South Korea. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of South Korea
The range of the K-9 is about 40 km, the maximum speed of the combat vehicle is 67 km/hour.
The crew of the combat vehicle is 5 people, and the deployment time is 30 seconds.