The head of the Ministry of National Defence (MON), Mariusz Błaszczak, met in Węgorzewo with soldiers of the 16th Mechanised Division, to which the first Korean K9 howitzers have been delivered. During the meeting, the minister informed that the 11th Artillery Regiment that received the equipment is transforming into the 1st Mazurian Artillery Brigade.

“Soldiers of the hitherto 11th Artillery Regiment, from now of the 1st Mazurian Artillery Brigade received modern equipment. The Russian aggression against Ukraine confirmed how important it is for the Polish Army to be strong. How important it is to be equipped with modern and effective weapons. It is about deterring the aggressor and creating a situation in which it will not dare to attack Poland. It will not dare to do so when the Polish Army is strong. We are effectively and efficiently strengthening the Polish Army, which is evidenced by these 24 K9 howitzers imported from South Korea becoming part of the brigade’s equipment”, said the head of the Ministry of Defense during the delivery of the first K9 howitzers.

The K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled howitzer on a tracked chassis. Its main armament is a 155mm cannon which, depending on the type of ammunition, can provide precision fire. The secondary armament is a 12.7mm large-calibre machine gun. The K9’s armour plating provides protection against small-calibre weapons and artillery shrapnel. A 1,000 hp diesel engine with automatic transmission provides high speed and mobility in any terrain.

Minister Błaszczak announced in Węgorzewo that unmanned flying systems will also be supplied to the equipment of the 1st Mazurian Artillery Brigade.

“I would like to strongly emphasise that the equipment of the 1st Mazurian Artillery Brigade will also be provided with drones, whose task will be reconnaissance and cooperation with the crews of cannon howitzers. The experience of the war in Ukraine clearly shows how important artillery is on the modern battlefield”, noted the head of the Ministry of Defence.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński