Krab and K9 self-propelled howitzers will be simultaneously produced in Poland

Licensed production of the K9 self-propelled howitzers in Poland will take place simultaneously with the Krab self-propelled howitzer.

This was stated by the president of Sebastian Chwałek, Polish gunsmith company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), PolskieRadio24.pl reported.

According to him, given the increase in purchase orders associated with the war in Ukraine and the further plans of the Polish Ministry of National Defense, PGZ should focus on increasing production.

Chwałek stressed that the license production of K9 howitzers, the purchase of which is connected with one of the framework contracts recently signed by the Polish Ministry of Defense with the South Korean defense industry, will not take place at the expense of the production of Polish Krab self-propelled howitzers, but will continue simultaneously.

He added that the Ministry of National Defense expects “the creation of a technological alliance, the result of which will be preparing a joint solution” from Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa – AHS Krab production would continue, and K9 howitzer production will grow with it.

Krab self-propelled howitzers will continue to be produced in large quantities along with the K9, Chwałek noted.

According to the president of PGZ, we can expect an exchange of experience between the two manufacturers of self-propelled howitzers. “Developing a joint vehicle is a matter of several years. At first, we should focus on increasing the production capacity.”

“In 2025, we should be ready for the full-scale production to deliver the first K2 tanks and K9 howitzers, which will be produced in Poland, within a year,” the president of PGZ said.

As previously reported, last month, Poland signed contracts with the South Korean Defense Industry to purchase K2 tanks and K9 howitzers along with the contract to purchase the FA-50 aircraft.

The first supply of South Korean tanks and howitzers strengthened the Polish army in 2022.

According to the released modernization plan of the Armed Forces, Poland plans to acquire 180 K2 main battle tanks. 820 more K2 tanks should start arriving in Poland in 2026.

In terms of the artillery systems, Poland will acquire 672 155mm K9 tracked self-propelled howitzers manufactured by the Hanwha Defense, part of which will be produced in Poland.