Estonia Eyes Additional K9 Thunder Howitzers amid ‘Lessons from Ukraine’

Estonia’s Ministry of Defence is buying 12 additional K9 Thunder howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwha Defense.

Owing to the deal, the country’s armed forces are to operate a total of 36 such weapons. The latest contract is worth about $39 million.

“Today’s war in Ukraine clearly shows how important indirect fire weapons are,” said Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur. “In light of the lessons learned in Ukraine, we have made quick decisions to equip both infantry brigades with additional K9 Thunder mobile howitzers and bring Estonia’s indirect fire capability to a completely new level.”

Poland has also ordered the K9 Thunder, with the first batch of 24 weapons received last month. In total, Hanwha Defense is to deliver 212 K9 Thunders to the Polish military, and a further 460 units could be manufactured by Poland’s defense industry under a license.

Estonia ordered six M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) light multiple rocket launchers.