Finland is in talks with South Korea to purchase used K9 Thunder 155mm armored howitzers, Finland's Ministry of Defense announced Friday.

Finland's MOD has started negotiations with Korea to procure equipment and artillery systems, the ministry said in a statement.

The contract would enable the support of operational troops via artillery equipment that features long range and solid mobility on- and off-road, the MOD said.

The K9s would replace artillery that's slated to become obsolete beginning in 2020.

Acquiring the used 155mm vehicle in a good, used condition would ensure a better supply and price on the international market, the MOD said.

The Korean-made, tracked, armored howitzer has a shooting distance of more than 24 miles.

The MOD said full details of any deal were not disclosed due to the ongoing nature of the negotiations.

Austria to buy 32 BAE Beowulf ATVs
Stockholm, Sweden (UPI) Jul 5, 2016 - BAE Systems has been awarded a contract to produce 32 BvS10 Beowulf military vehicles for Austria under a government-to-government agreement with Sweden, the company announced.

The amount of the contract was not disclosed.

The contract is for the armored personnel carrier variant of the BvS10, BAE said in a statement.

Deliveries are expected to be begin in the second half of 2017 and conclude in 2019.

The tracked vehicle is designed to operate in rugged terrain to deliver personnel or cargo in combat and disaster relief situations.

The BvS10 will also play a role in Austria's European Union Mountain Training Warfare Initiative, BAE said.

Austria will host schools, training and support services for the initiative, which was created to enhance military effectiveness in mountain terrain.

Building on BAE's legacy BV206 vehicles, the BvS10 features enhanced crew ergonomics, greater internal volume and advanced protection, BAE said.

Austria joins France, the Netherlands, Sweden and the U.K. in operating the BvS10.