The final two K9 “Thunder” self-propelled howitzers covered by the first executive contract have been delivered to the 1st Artillery Brigade of the 16th Mechanized Division. This means that all K9 howitzers planned under this delivery phase are now in Poland and are being integrated into service with the Polish Armed Forces.
In parallel with the howitzer deliveries, training packages, spare parts, consumables and technical support are being provided to enable the full and effective implementation of the system following the contract signed in 2022. Poland has also received the first units acquired under the second executive contract, further strengthening the Army’s artillery capabilities.
The K9 howitzers are already being intensively used in training. Artillery personnel of the 16th and 18th Mechanized Divisions regularly conduct live-fire exercises, operational drills and technical training, building the competencies necessary for the operational employment of the system.
Hanwha Aerospace is progressing with subsequent phases of cooperation, including deliveries of the Polish-configured K9PL variant, which are scheduled to begin in 2026.