Norway to double fleet of Korean K9 howitzers for $500 million

The Norwegian government will allocate $1.6 billion for a large-scale programme to increase the defence budget to $150 billion, which will help modernise the army by 2036. This includes the purchase of additional K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery systems.

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Part of the new funds - about $521.6 million - will be used to purchase 24 more K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery systems from the South Korean company Hanwha. Thus, the Norwegian army will effectively double its K9 fleet, which currently has 28 units.

The agreement on the first batch of 24 SAUs and 6 K10s was signed in December 2017. At the time, the total cost of the project, including the purchase of ammunition and all related costs, was estimated at $360 million at the then exchange rate. In 2022, Norway has already expanded this contract to include 4 K9s and 8 loading vehicles.

The procurement includes not only the artillery systems themselves, but also additional costs for ammunition, logistics, training, and possibly infrastructure. Details of this part of the programme will be announced later.

Another $360 million will be allocated by the government for the anti-marine mine action programme. This is in addition to the 4.8 billion kroons already allocated. The programme includes the purchase of modern minesweepers and unmanned maritime systems and is aimed not only at detecting mines but also at protecting the country's critical underwater infrastructure.

Source: Defence News