On December 1, 2023, the Polish Armament Agency, Agencja Uzbrojenia, announced a major contract, valued at $2.6 billion, with the South Korean company Hanwha Defense. The agreement involves the acquisition of a total of 152 K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers, comprising six K9A1 units to be delivered in 2025 and 146 K9PL units scheduled between 2026 and 2027.
The contract involves not only the supply of the 155mm self-propelled howitzers but also includes a training and logistics package. Additionally, several thousand 155mm ammunition rounds will be delivered as part of this arrangement.
As part of the deal, technology transfer to the Polish defense industry will establish industrial capabilities within Poland for the maintenance, renovation, and modernization of the howitzers. This initiative also extends to the production of specific structural elements by entities within the Polish defense industry, facilitating the rapid attainment of the operational capabilities required by the Polish Armed Forces.
Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), a key player in the Polish defense sector, is expected to play a vital role in meeting the artillery requirements of the Polish Army, as talks have been initiated with HSW to explore possibilities for increasing the supply of Krab 155mm self-propelled howitzers, as reported by Army Recognition on August 3, 2023.
This announcement is part of a broader program aimed at replacing the aging 2S1 Goździk 122mm self-propelled howitzers currently in service with the Polish Army, as reported by Army Recognition on November 28, 2023. The initial framework agreement, signed on July 27, 2022, outlined plans for the acquisition of a total of 672 K9A1 and K9PL self-propelled howitzers.