Norway’s new K9 VIDAR howitzer meets all expectations as Ukraine war confirms artillery relevance.

On July 8, 2025, the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), in partnership with the Concept program at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), published its final evaluation of Project P5447 concerning the procurement of the South Korean K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzer system. The evaluation concluded that the acquisition process met its objectives related to cost, schedule, and operational performance. The report emphasized that the war in Ukraine had confirmed the continued relevance of long-range artillery systems in high-intensity conflicts, while also highlighting evolving vulnerabilities such as increased exposure to drone surveillance and strike capabilities.
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According to the official report, the South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace met all expectations by delivering a mature, reliable, and high-performance artillery system on time, within budget, and with significantly improved range, mobility, and survivability compared to its predecessor. (Picture source: Norwegian MoD)

According to FFI, the Ukrainian battlefield experience reinforced Norway’s decision to prioritize artillery systems capable of achieving more than 40 kilometers in range and better survivability, and led to a reassessment of ammunition acquisition strategy, favoring volume and cost-effective accuracy improvements over limited high-cost precision rounds. The evaluation judged the acquisition to be economically sound and aligned with modern operational requirements, despite noting that long-term viability would depend on integrated force protection and continued ammunition procurement. The report applied the Concept program’s standardized methodology, assessing six criteria: productivity, goal achievement, secondary effects, relevance, viability, and economic efficiency.

The project delivered 24 K9 VIDAR howitzers and six K10 ammunition resupply vehicles to the Norwegian Army within the approved cost ceiling of 2.32 billion NOK (based on 2017 prices), with all deliveries completed on schedule. Operational deployment began with one battery at Setermoen on January 1, 2021, and expanded to additional batteries in Setermoen and Rena by August 1, 2021. Technical assessments confirmed that the equipment met contractual quality requirements. The report noted that while the associated ammunition component, comprising conventional, smoke, and precision-guided rounds, remains incomplete, this is attributable to the separate nature of developmental projects P5001 and P5230. These delays were not considered faults of P5447 but were cited as examples of coordination challenges when platform and ammunition procurements are separated. The evaluation also highlighted that two of the three effect goals were achieved: extending range beyond 40 kilometers and improving system availability and protection over the M109. The third goal, maintaining costs at previous levels, remains unresolved due to incomplete ammunition deliveries and uncertain long-term operational expenditures, but the evaluation found no significant unintended negative impacts, as cost control depends on synchronizing ammunition delivery with system operation.

However, the report did highlight some secondary benefits, including improvements in project governance within the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA) and the establishment of a user community among K9-operating nations. Lessons identified include the advantage of acquiring systems with high technical maturity and low adaptation requirements, which contributed to minimizing risks of cost overruns and delays. The selection of the K9 VIDAR followed unsuccessful attempts to modernize Norway’s artillery through two earlier initiatives. The first was a proposed 2000s-era exchange with the Netherlands for 18 Panzerhaubitze 2000 units, which was cancelled in 2005. The second, Project P5439, was a joint Archer development with Sweden that was terminated in 2013 due to performance, security, and cost concerns. Project P5447 was launched in 2015, targeting a tracked artillery system capable of supporting a mechanized brigade under Norwegian conditions. Field trials at Regionfelt Østlandet in 2016 tested four 155 mm systems from Hanwha, RUAG, KMW, and Nexter. The K9 Thunder demonstrated operational suitability in deep snow, reliable firing, and low technical failure rates, distinguishing itself from competitors. Test data was shared with Finland and Estonia, influencing their acquisition decisions.

In December 2017, FMA signed a contract with Hanwha Land Systems for 24 K9 VIDARs and six K10s, with an option for further units. Deliveries began in November 2019, adhering to the planned timeline, and the full set of systems, including four driver simulators and technical documentation, was delivered by autumn 2020. The first systems underwent acceptance testing using Norwegian ammunition at Regionfelt Østlandet. The contract included a logistics and training package, with maintenance and operator instruction centralized at the new technical competence center in Bjerkvik. There, Norwegian technicians were trained, and future support was established. In November 2022, Norway exercised the contract option to acquire four additional K9s and eight additional K10s. In April 2025, the government confirmed plans to purchase 24 more K9 VIDARs for approximately $534 million. Spare parts deliveries were frontloaded, with 80 percent of parts and 90 percent of specialized tools delivered in the first year. Norway has also considered a joint logistics solution with Finland’s Millog. The Norwegian K9s will incorporate integrated combat systems (ICS) from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, shared with Finnish platforms. Total delivery will result in 28 K9s and 14 K10s in service, organized under a 2:1 support ratio.

The K9 VIDAR is a Norwegian variant of the South Korean K9 Thunder, configured to meet national requirements. It is equipped with a 155 mm L52 gun and designed for indirect fire support at ranges exceeding 40 kilometers. The platform is powered by a 1,000-horsepower MTU diesel engine and has a maximum speed of 67 km/h. With a five-person crew, the system measures 12 meters in length, 3.4 meters in width, and 3.5 meters in height, and weighs approximately 48 tons. It features a rate of fire of up to eight rounds per minute and a burst capacity of three rounds in 15 seconds. It can relocate within 30 to 60 seconds between firing positions, reducing exposure to counter-battery fire. The hydropneumatic suspension minimizes shock and enables stable operation across diverse terrain and weather conditions. Norwegian trials confirmed the system’s ability to fire Nammo’s 155 mm IM HE-ER rounds to a range of 43.6 kilometers. A maximum range of 54 kilometers has been reached under test conditions. The K9 VIDAR is compatible with the BONUS 155 mm sensor-fused top-attack munition and is expected to integrate future ramjet-assisted rounds with ranges up to 100 kilometers.

The K10 ammunition resupply vehicle shares the K9 chassis, ensuring similar protection and mobility. It carries 104 rounds and resupplies two K9s using an electrically operated telescopic arm and conveyor belt that transfers twelve rounds per minute under armor protection. The system can operate continuously in poor visibility or extreme weather conditions and minimizes resupply time to sustain operational tempo. Norway initially ordered six K10s to support 24 K9s and later added eight more. The K10 feeds ammunition into the K9's bustle magazine from the rear turret and maintains tactical parity by using identical mobility components. Through Life Support (TLS) agreements with Hanwha, provide long-term system sustainment, including Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), technical manuals, repair tools, training programs, and supportability analysis. Regional support and technology transfer are expected to shift sustainment activities to Nordic or Baltic states over time. The agreement includes REACH BACK support to Hanwha and the potential use of licensed components produced in Poland or Turkey. The Norwegian VIDAR systems will also benefit from a shared parts agreement signed with Finland in December 2023, enabling the exchange of spare parts without prior South Korean approval. This framework is designed to increase supply chain efficiency and reduce logistics response time across partner countries operating the K9 platform.