IRIA News

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Hanwha Aerospace has signed a third contract with Norway to deliver 24 additional K9 VIDAR self-propelled howitzers, further deepening the South Korean defense company’s role in Europe’s security landscape.

The agreement was signed in Oslo on September 19, 2025, between Hanwha Aerospace President and CEO Son Jae-il and the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA) Director General Gro Jaere.

Norwegian Army Chief Maj. Gen. Lars Lervik, and South Korea’s Ambassador to Norway, Seo Min-jeong, were also present during the contract signing ceremony. The new deal brings Norway’s total K9 fleet to 52 systems, a major expansion for the NATO member’s artillery forces.

The decision to expand the number of howitzers was made after the Norwegian Army evaluated the K9 VIDAR’s performance during earlier deployments and determined the platform met the country’s operational needs.

Norway had already purchased 24 K9 howitzers and six K10 ammunition resupply vehicles under a 2017 contract worth $176.9 million. With this new order, the K9 becomes one of the central pillars of Norway’s artillery modernization program, ensuring greater firepower, flexibility, and interoperability within NATO operations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hanwha Aerospace’s chief executive Son Jae-il emphasized the strategic value of the agreement for both sides. “We are proud to contribute once again to strengthening Norway’s sovereign defense capabilities,” he said. “Looking ahead, we will solidify our position as a strategic partner dedicated to securing the capabilities of NATO and the wider European community.” His comments underscored Hanwha’s long-term strategy of building partnerships in Europe, where demand for advanced artillery systems has surged in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the shifting security environment across the continent.

Norwegian officials also highlighted the significance of the deal for the country’s defense preparedness. NDMA Director General Gro Jaere described the agreement as critical for meeting the Armed Forces’ requirements. “I am very pleased that we have now signed a new contract with Hanwha, which will secure important materiel for the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Norwegian Army in line with the Armed Forces’ requirements for time, cost, and performance,” she said. “Efficient processes and good cooperation with Hanwha have been crucial in ensuring that delivery of the additional 24 K9 artillery systems is already planned for 2027.” Her statement pointed to the relatively swift timeline for delivery, with the upgraded systems expected to arrive within just two years.

Enhanced features of K9 Howitzers

The new batch of K9s will feature a range of enhancements, including improved communications technology and full integration with Norway’s indigenous combat system. This integration is seen as vital for ensuring that the artillery units can operate seamlessly with other elements of the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The contract also includes an Integrated Logistics Support package, covering training, maintenance, and sustainment solutions. These will be developed in partnership with Norwegian industry, ensuring that local companies benefit from the deal and that the systems can remain operationally effective over the long term. This emphasis on local cooperation reflects a broader trend in European defense procurement, where governments are increasingly seeking industrial participation and technology transfers as part of major arms contracts.

For Hanwha Aerospace, the deal marks another milestone in its steady expansion across Europe and beyond. The company’s K9 howitzer has become one of the most widely adopted artillery systems in the world, with customers ranging from Turkey and Poland to Finland, Estonia, India, Australia, Egypt, and Romania.

Each of these countries has turned to the K9 for its proven reliability, firepower, and adaptability to different operational environments. Norway’s decision to more than double its fleet is therefore both a vote of confidence in the platform and an indication of the country’s growing defense commitments as part of NATO.

K9 Howtizers

The K9 has been particularly attractive to European countries that have sought to strengthen their artillery capabilities in light of evolving threats on NATO’s eastern flank. Poland, for example, has ordered hundreds of K9s and even agreed to produce the system domestically under license, demonstrating the scale of demand for modern artillery solutions. Finland and Estonia, both neighbors of Russia, have also incorporated the K9 into their armed forces, underscoring the weapon’s strategic relevance. Norway’s new order positions it more firmly within this regional defense trend, while also highlighting the country’s intent to remain aligned with NATO’s collective deterrence posture.

Hanwha Aerospace’s international footprint continues to expand outside Europe as well. Just last month, the company signed a $250 million agreement with Vietnam to deliver 20 K9 howitzers, marking the platform’s first export to Southeast Asia.

This deal opened a new chapter for Hanwha, signaling that demand for advanced artillery systems is not limited to Europe or the Middle East but is growing across Asia as well. The company has hinted that other deals are under discussion, including potential exports of its Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System, which could further consolidate its presence in the global defense market.

Strategic implications

For Norway, the acquisition of additional K9s not only strengthens national defense but also enhances its role within NATO. As the alliance adapts to a more contested security environment, having interoperable systems such as the K9 ensures that member states can operate effectively in joint missions.

Norway’s geographical position on NATO’s northern flank, with direct access to the Arctic and proximity to Russia, makes its artillery forces especially important. The new K9s, with their upgraded systems and integrated logistics support, are expected to improve both national readiness and NATO’s collective deterrence.

Founded in 1977, Hanwha Aerospace began as a manufacturer focused on aerospace technologies but has since grown into a global defense leader with capabilities across land, sea, air, and space. The company emphasizes innovation, customer-oriented management, and advanced technologies as drivers of its competitiveness. Its success with the K9 program demonstrates how it has leveraged these strengths to become a key supplier of modern defense systems at a time when global demand is rising sharply.

The signing ceremony marked more than just a contract for artillery systems. It represented a deepening of South Korea’s defense ties with Norway, an expansion of Hanwha’s role in Europe, and a reinforcement of NATO’s collective defense posture.

With deliveries scheduled by 2027 and a strong emphasis on integration and support, the agreement reflects both sides’ confidence in their partnership. As Europe continues to rearm and diversify its defense suppliers, Hanwha Aerospace is positioning itself as a strategic player in the region’s evolving security architecture.