K-9 Self-Propelled Howitzer's First Entry into the Middle East... Final Export to Egypt Confirmed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The domestically produced self-propelled artillery K-9 has been exported to Egypt. This is the first time the K-9 self-propelled artillery has been exported to the Middle East and Africa region.

According to a government official on the 1st, "The final export signing with the Egyptian government was made this morning Korea time," adding, "The export amount reaches 2 trillion won through the export method of delivering finished products of the so-called 'K-9 package,' including the K-9 self-propelled artillery and K-10 ammunition resupply armored vehicle, and local production through technology transfer."

Hanwha Defense's export of the K-9 to Egypt has been explored since 2005. On the 20th of last month, President Moon Jae-in mentioned the possibility of exporting the K-9 self-propelled artillery during a summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. At the joint press conference following the summit, President Moon said, "The two presidents of Korea and Egypt agreed that the K-9 self-propelled artillery will greatly contribute to strengthening Egypt's military power and will become a representative successful case of mutual cooperation between the two countries through technology cooperation and local production," and added, "We agreed to work together for the final settlement."

Following exports to Turkey in 2001, exports have continued to Asia and Europe, including Poland, India, Finland, Norway, and Estonia. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), from 2000 to 2017, the K-9 self-propelled artillery ranked first in market share in the global self-propelled artillery export market, surpassing the competing German self-propelled artillery Pzh2000. Last year, it was also selected as the preferred equipment for the Australian Army's self-propelled artillery project. Egypt, which imported the K-9 self-propelled artillery this time, ranked third in the world in arms imports from 2015 to 2019 (according to SIPRI), following Saudi Arabia and India.

The K-9 self-propelled artillery can fire up to 6 rounds per minute, with a range of up to 40 km. It is equipped with automated fire control equipment, shell transfer, and loading devices. It can fire shells within 30 seconds after receiving a firing command. It can fire up to 3 rounds within 15 seconds and continuously fire 18 rounds over 3 minutes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.