Although I have a past [récent] Despite sharing the same security challenges, the three Baltic states – which are also members of NATO and the European Union – often make different choices when it comes to equipping their respective armed forces. This is the case, for example, in the field of artillery.
True, last year Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia announced their intention to procure American M142 HIMARS systems [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System] to have a deep fire capability… But when it comes to 155mm self-propelled howitzers, these three countries are disorganized.
Thus, Latvia has about fifty American-made M109A5Ö howitzers, acquired by Austria in 2017. At least six of them were subsequently donated to Ukraine. The Lithuanian Army uses twenty-one howitzers [chenillés] PzH 2000 delivered by Germany between 2015 and 2020. And by 2027, eighteen trucks should be equipped with an artillery system [CAESAr] generation, with the order being confirmed in December.
Estonia has made a different choice, announcing the order of 24 K-9 Thunder from South Korean group Hanwha Techwin in 2018. As a reminder, with a combat mass of more than 45 tons and carried out by five gunners [1 chef de pièce, 1 conducteur, 1 tireur et 2 chargeurs]this 155 mm tracked howitzer is MRSI capable [Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact / Tir Multiple Impact Simultané], allowing him to fire three shells in 15 seconds on different trajectories. The range is 30 to 40 km depending on the grenade used.
Convinced that 24 K-9 Thunders were not enough, Tallinn has just ordered 12 more examples for an amount of around 36 million euros. The contract was signed by the Estonian Center for Defense Investments [RKIK], January 14. According to the information portal ERR.ee, these additional howitzers should have been delivered by 2026… And this while the South Korean industrialist is placing orders, especially to Poland, which expects 212 examples in the next three years.
“The war in Ukraine clearly shows the importance of indirect fire weapons. In the light of the knowledge gained […]we made quick decisions to equip both infantry brigades with additional K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers and take Estonia’s indirect fire capacity to a whole new level,” said Hanno Pevkur, Estonian Minister of Health and Defense.
Note that in addition to Poland and Estonia, Finland and Norway have also opted for the K-9 Thunder.