Sweden looks to buy South Korean K9 howitzers
Sweden is evaluating the purchase of South Korea’s K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer as it reassesses its artillery mix and considers adding tracked platforms alongside its well-known wheeled Archer systems, according to reports citing internal documents and regional defense coverage.
Swedish defense planners are studying options for acquiring tracked self-propelled artillery to operate in deep snow and difficult terrain—conditions that can limit wheeled systems. The review includes the K9 Thunder, manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea, which has become widely adopted across Northern Europe.
Sweden has long been associated with the Archer artillery system, a truck-mounted 155mm howitzer. While Archer offers high mobility and rapid shoot-and-scoot capability on roads, Swedish Army assessments have highlighted constraints in heavy snow and rugged terrain.
According to Dagens Nyheter, Swedish Army leadership has identified a need for “bandhaubitsar,” or tracked howitzers, to complement existing capabilities. The report said the army chief’s wish list includes just under 40 new artillery pieces.
South Korean media reports citing internal Swedish documents indicate plans under consideration to establish two battalion-sized units equipped with the K9 Thunder. The same documents point to deeper logistics and sustainment cooperation with neighboring Nordic countries, including Norway and Finland, both of which already operate the K9.
Although no contract has been signed, analysts cited in South Korean reporting say the K9 stands out for a combination of reliability, price, and delivery speed. The K9 has been produced in large numbers and fielded by multiple NATO and partner nations, factors that can shorten delivery timelines and simplify training and maintenance.
The K9 Thunder is a 155mm/52-caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer designed for high mobility in harsh environments. It can fire standard NATO ammunition and has an automated loading system that supports rapid rates of fire. The system is designed to be operated by conscript-based forces, an important consideration for Sweden, which reinstated conscription and continues to rely on mixed professional and conscript units.
Comparisons have also been drawn with European alternatives, including Germany’s tracked version of RCH-155. While RCH-155 offers advanced automation and reduced crew requirements, analysts note it remains less proven in large-scale service and may face longer production timelines. By contrast, the K9 has established supply chains and a track record in Nordic climates.
The K9’s growing presence in Northern Europe has also created opportunities for shared training, ammunition stockpiling, and maintenance cooperation. Norway, Finland, Estonia, and Poland all operate or have ordered K9 variants, creating what defense planners describe as a de facto regional standard for tracked artillery.
Swedish defense officials have not publicly confirmed a final decision, and the Ministry of Defence has not announced a formal procurement process. However, the combination of operational requirements, regional interoperability, and production maturity has led multiple analysts to describe the K9 as the most likely choice for Sweden’s next tracked artillery platform.
