Hanwha Aerospace announced on Tuesday that it has secured a $274 million contract with Poland’s state-owned defense company Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) to supply components for the Polish self-propelled howitzer, KRAB.
The K9 howitzer and KRAB chassis are nearly identical, allowing for the interchangeability of components. With Europe’s rearmament efforts in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Hanwha Aerospace aims to bolster its partnership with Polish defense firms to enhance the nation’s security and industrial capabilities.
Hanwha Aerospace’s relationship with Poland began in 2014 when it first supplied chassis components for 120 units of KRAB. The company has since delivered a total of 364 K9 self-propelled howitzers in 2022 and 2023. An additional contract for 300 more K9 units is in the works, in accordance with the basic agreement signed in 2022.
Building on its successful exports of K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, and KRAB chassis components, Hanwha Aerospace is expanding its cooperation with Poland. In addition to maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) services for existing products, the company also plans to participate in Poland’s infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) project and proposes a localized version of its independently developed Redback IFV.
Furthermore, Hanwha Aerospace, in collaboration with its subsidiary Hanwha Ocean, is bidding on Poland’s $5.45 billion submarine project, known as the ORKA Program. This initiative aims to modernize the Polish Navy, with Hanwha offering integrated solutions.
Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, stated that this export deal exemplifies their ability to forge multifaceted defense partnerships with Poland. It not only helps them respond to the emerging defense blocks in Europe but also promotes synergy with their domestic defense industry partners.