S. Korea to deliver 48 K9 self-propelled howitzers to Finland
SEOUL, Feb. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will deliver 48 of its K9 self-propelled howitzers to Finland, the country's defense procurement agency said Tuesday.
The Finnish government has recently approved the purchase of the 155mm howitzer systems from South Korea citing price competitiveness and overall capabilities, a spokesman for the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said. The contract is estimated to be worth 178 billion won (US$155 million).
"The delivery of the K9s is due to begin this year and be completed by 2024. Finnish troops are scheduled to be trained on the K9 from 2019," the DAPA official said, confirming a foreign news report on the deal.
The timeline is in line with Finnish plans to declare the initial operation of the new howitzer in 2020 with full deployment in 2025, according to an article in IHS Jane's Defense Weekly.
"Purchasing the K9 will enable Finland to phase out the majority of its old Soviet-designed artillery systems," the weekly said.
The howitzers are being operated by the militaries of Poland and Turkey as well as South Korean troops. Denmark is also considering purchasing the K9, the official source said.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Overdue debut of Korean abstract art pioneer Yoo Young-kuk at Venice Biennale
-
Defense chief says N. Korea's hypersonic missile 'unsuccessful' in last-stage glide flight
-
Relax, immerse yourself in scents at Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion
-
N. Korea has capability to genetically engineer biological military products: U.S. report
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Overdue debut of Korean abstract art pioneer Yoo Young-kuk at Venice Biennale
-
Relax, immerse yourself in scents at Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion
-
Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Defense chief says N. Korea's hypersonic missile 'unsuccessful' in last-stage glide flight
-
Facebook page unveils photos of BTS member V in counter-terrorism unit gear
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
S. Korea not invited to G7 summit meeting this year: sources
-
Yoon's approval rating sinks to lowest point since taking office
-
S. Korea to fully shift to 'endemic' from COVID-19 pandemic starting next month