Canada eyes Hanwha K9 as Korean howitzer becomes NATO's Arctic gun of choice
Published: 27 Apr. 2026, 18:28
Updated: 27 Apr. 2026, 22:07
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- KIM MIN-YOUNG
- [email protected]
![A K9 self-propelled howitzer [HANWHA AEROSPACE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/27/58a2370b-51ce-4361-b06f-a89b6bf11423.jpg)
A K9 self-propelled howitzer [HANWHA AEROSPACE]
The K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer is becoming a fixture of Arctic defense, a track record that now gives manufacturer Hanwha Aerospace an edge in purchase talks with Canada as Ottawa overhauls its land-based artillery.
Finland, which operates the K9 in extreme cold-weather conditions, signed a fresh 547 million euro ($641.7 million) follow-on contract in April for 112 additional units, bringing its inventory to over 200 and making it the third NATO member to cross that threshold after Turkey and Poland.
Arctic nations are upping defense spending as Russia ramps up an aggressive gray-zone campaign, militarizing the region. Norway and Estonia, both operating in challenging northern climates, are among the other countries that have adopted the K9.
"The K9 was designed in Korea, where winter conditions, particularly near the northern front line areas like Cheorwon, can drop to around minus 20 to minus 30 degrees Celsius [minus 4 to 22 degrees Fahrenheit]," said Danny Oh, Deputy Senior Manager of Hanwha Aerospace's Media Team. "To operate reliably in those conditions, the system was designed from the outset to perform in low temperatures, including the application of heating and insulation systems.
The howitzer's 155-millimeter, 52-caliber gun delivers shells across a 40-kilometer (25-mile) range and supports rapid "shoot-and-scoot" tactics critical for survivability against drone-saturated battlefields. Globally, the K9 has been delivered to or ordered by 10 countries across four continents, including six NATO members. Nearly 2,000 units have been delivered, with about 900 more in production.
"There have been cases where other systems experienced issues in extreme cold, such as stoppages or reduced performance," said Oh. "In comparison, the K9 has demonstrated more consistent operation in such conditions."
![A K9 self-propelled howitzer is seen at Hanwha Aerospace's factory in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, on March 16, 2023. [REUTERS/YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/27/434d48af-fcae-4033-8cb3-a8ea24410f01.jpg)
A K9 self-propelled howitzer is seen at Hanwha Aerospace's factory in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, on March 16, 2023. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
Canada is the latest country eyeing the K9. Lt. Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, recently told local news agency Yonhap that Ottawa is in talks with the Korean military defense giant.
"The K9 howitzers, I know, is something that Hanwha has spoken about," said Wright. "The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle is another example." The interview came in the backdrop of Hanwha Aerospace being a contender to supply up to 98 systems under Ottawa's roughly $1 billion Indirect Fires Modernization program.
"The Canadian Army is in the midst of our largest modernization of equipment in over 25 years, and we're looking in accordance with our defense industrial strategy — what we can do to rapidly accelerate bringing new equipment into the Canadian Army," said Wright.
![Hanwha Aerospace's K9 self-propeller howitzer [HANHWA AEROSPACE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/27/29bba16f-9ffc-464c-af2b-56641219b76d.jpg)
Hanwha Aerospace's K9 self-propeller howitzer [HANHWA AEROSPACE]
Canada's interest comes at a time when Ottawa is actively diversifying away from U.S. suppliers amid trade tensions with the Trump administration. Prime Minister Mark Carney called on middle powers at January's World Economic Forum to band together against great-power coercion, in a speech widely read as a challenge to U.S. policy under President Donald Trump.
Hanwha Aerospace's push for the K9 howitzer has gained momentum since Canada and Korea signed a defense cooperation agreement on Feb. 25, with the two countries committing to negotiate a broader Defence Cooperation Agreement that includes a legal framework for joint procurement and industrial collaboration.
Hanwha Aerospace submitted proposals to Canada in May 2025 for both the K9 howitzer and the K239 Chunmoo multiple-launch rocket system as part of its bid to support Ottawa’s artillery modernization.
For Canada, the K9's NATO-standard munitions compatibility and proven cold-weather endurance offer a faster path to modernization than U.S. or European alternatives.
BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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