Spain signs contract for South Korean K9 howitzers

Spain has signed a contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace to acquire K9 155mm self-propelled howitzers and K10 ammunition resupply vehicles. The agreement, signed on August 31, 2026, will be executed through a partnership with the Spanish state-owned defense electronics company, Indra Sistemas.

The artillery modernization program is budgeted at €4.55 billion ($5.3 billion) and aims to replace Spain’s aging M109 howitzers. The expected acquisition includes 128 K9 tracked howitzers and 120 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, with potential additions of recovery and command-and-control vehicles based on the K9 chassis.

As part of the deal, significant industrial transfer will occur. Indra Sistemas will design and manufacture vehicle hulls at its facilities in Gijón, Spain, and will be responsible for integrating Spanish communications, battle management systems, and electronics into the platforms.