K9 자주포. (사진=한화에어로스페이스)

 

 

[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Hanwha Aerospace has confirmed an additional supply of 100 K9 self-propelled howitzers to India, following an initial contract in 2017 for the same number of units. This deal marks a significant achievement for Hanwha after nearly eight years since the first export agreement.

According to industry sources and foreign media on Monday, Indian engineering firm L&T, which is engaged in joint production with Hanwha, has recently signed a contract with the Indian Ministry of Defence to manufacture 100 K9 self-propelled howitzers. These units will be produced at L&T's factory in India. The global market share of the K9 self-propelled howitzer is around 50-55%, and this new deal with India is expected to further increase that share.

The Indian government initially acquired 100 K9 units from Hanwha in 2017 for 45 billion rupees (approximately 7.7 billion KRW) to strengthen its defense capabilities amid escalating border disputes with China and Pakistan. Although India planned to purchase an additional 200 units in 2021, the order was scaled back to 100 units due to local circumstances, and the timeline was slightly delayed.

 

 

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