WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The Polish military is to acquire 96 self-propelled howitzers under a $1.1 billion contract with local company Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.
The self-propelled howitzer, based on a South Korean design, is a 155mm weapon system and will be produced in Poland.
The Polish news site Defense 24 reports the contract was awarded almost exactly two years after a cooperative agreement was concluded by Poland's HSW in South Korea for the acquisition from Hanwha Techwin of the rights to manufacture, "Polonize," develop and re-export a new chassis for the 155mm "Krab" system.
A gradual process will eventually result in the chassis and hull being completely built in Poland, except for the engines, automatic transmissions and some other components.
Poland had previously ordered two dozen of the weapon systems.