Hanwha Land Systems, a defense business run by Hanwha Group, signed a contract with the Norwegian government to supply two dozen K9 Thunder self-propelled 155 mm howitzers, the company said Thursday.
Under the 245.2 billion won ($226.6 million) deal, Hanwha Land Systems will deliver 24 K9 howitzers and six K10 ammunition resupply vehicles by 2020.
Son Jae-il, Hanwha Land Systems CEO, shakes hands with Mette Elin Sørfonden, head of Norway's defense material agency, after a contract on K9 self-propelled howitzers. (Hanwha Group)
With the latest deal, the company has secured three contracts of the weapon system this year. The total value of the three contracts in 2017 reaches some $720 million, Hanwha Group’s officials said.
Norway’s defense officials said separately that Hanwha was the bidder that best met the requirements of the nation’s army, more so than similar products from Germany and France.
“By winning the export deal over European rivals, the company’s K9 self-propelled howitzer has received global recognition,” Hanwha Land Systems CEO Son Jae-il said in a statement. “The company will continue its efforts to win an order from Estonia,” Son added.
By Shim Woo-hyun (ws@heraldcorp.com)
