Finland procures used K9 SPHs from South Korea

A K9 SPH undergoing trials in Finland in 2016. Finland is buying 112 more K9s, in addition to the 96 it already has. (Janes/Peter Felstead)

The Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) signed a procurement agreement in Helsinki for 112 used K9 self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) on 9 April 2026. A 9 April Finnish MoD press release valued the procurement, which includes spare parts and maintenance systems, at EUR546.8 million (USD640.5 million).

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said, “This acquisition will cost-effectively develop the performance of the army's artillery. The acquisition is part of the army's modernisation outlined in the Defense Statement, which will be implemented over the next 10 years.”

Published in December 2024, the Defence Statement says, “A procurement of more K9 armoured howitzers will raise the artillery's ability to sustain the army's combat power and increase the survivability of artillery units. In addition, the army has improved its self-sufficiency in munitions.”

In its 9 April press release, the Finnish MoD said, “The acquisition will further improve the army's firepower and ability to support operational forces with long-range artillery equipment with good offroad and road mobility. The acquisition will partially replace ageing light towed artillery.”

Finland acquired 96 former South Korean army K9 SPHs under a government-to-government agreement with KOTRA in 2017. A Finnish MoD spokesperson confirmed to Janes on 10 April that the 112 additional SPHs will be surplus K9A1s from the South Korean army and will not differ from the 96 systems already acquired by Finland.