In the 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade, located a fewer kilometres from the royal circuit, the first South Korean self-propelled Haubice K9 Thunder appeared. It is another unit of the 16th Mechanized Division that strengthens the possible of artillery subunits with weapons, which allows to conduct precise fire over a distance of 40 km.
– Arrival Haubic K9 marks a fresh step in the improvement of the brigade. There is simply a change of equipment from old, russian to modern, Korean, equipped with the latest fire control strategy – said the Brig-Gen. Roman Dirt, Commander 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade, during the first presentation of fresh equipment. He stressed that K9 is characterized by incomparably better method parameters than Haubice 2S1 Wździk, on which the crews of the self-propelled artillery squadron have previously served.
– An crucial aspect of the process of refurbishment into fresh military equipment is the unification of equipment and equipment, as well as entering the right level in terms of technological progress," added Gen. Brudło. He besides highlighted the interoperability capabilities of the Haubic K9 which are already utilized by another units of the 16th Mechanicalised Division. "Today we look at drones more and more, but at the same time no 1 gives up artillery. Moreover, there is simply a return to the strength of conducting fire, which is why this change in 9 BKPanc is most expected and desired," stated the unit commander.
Haubice K9 arrived in Braniev from Węgorzew, where they had been equipped for respective years 1 The Mazury Artillery Brigade – the first user of this kind of equipment in the Polish army. 9 BKPanc has been preparing to adopt the Thunder Squadron (the exact number of guns has not been given) for 2 years, training its soldiers both in the country with the support of the 1st Artillery Brigade as well as in South Korea at the invitation of a haubic producer. – It was 2 years of hard work that has not yet ended. We have many training projects ahead of us, as well as typically method ones, due to the fact that the equipment is as good as the service and crew on it – the gene signed. Dirt.
K9 Thunder is simply a South Korean self-propelled drum on a caterpillar chassis. Its main armament is simply a 155 mm caliber cannon, which, depending on the kind of ammunition, ensures precise fire conduction over 40 km. The auxiliary weapon is simply a 12.7 mm large caliber device gun. The K9 armor provides protection against small-caliber weapons and artillery fragments. The drive is simply a 1000 hp diesel engine with an automatic transmission that ensures advanced velocity and mobility in each area. The mass of the barrel is 47 t. The K9 service consists of 5 soldiers: gunship commander, targeting, targeting, cargo, and driver.
The Haubice have reached the Polish army since 2022. The framework agreement signed with Hanwha defence implies the acquisition of a full of 672 K9A1 and their colonized developmental version of K9PL, together with accompanying vehicles (ammunition, command), training and logistics package, ammunition stock and method support of the manufacturer. At the end of 2025, South Korea arrived in Poland. last ordered Thundery version K9A1 (a full of 218 copies). By the end of 2027, 146 haubic in the Polishized version of K9PL is to be delivered, which will importantly strengthen the position of the Polish military as 1 of the largest users of the 155 mm self-propelled division in Europe.
