S.Korea's Hanwha to Build 30 K9 155mm Howitzers for Australian Army

The Australian Ministry of Defence will soon acquire 30 K9 self-propelled howitzers from Hanwha Defence Australia.

The defence ministry said today a Request for Tender will be released to the company to build and maintain 30 self-propelled howitzers and 15 K10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles, and their supporting systems.

“The self-propelled howitzers will be built in the Geelong region, with ongoing deep maintenance conducted in the same Australian facility to support the systems throughout their service life,” said Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds.

The Request for Tender will progress this first phase of the Protected Mobile Fires capability.

Together with the subsequent phases announced in the 2020 Force Structure Plan, it will ensure a long-term future for industry’s involvement in the delivery of this critical capability for the ADF. LAND 8116 Phase 2, announced in the 2020 Force Structure Plan, is anticipated to commence in the late 2020s, delivering additional Protected Mobile Fires capability, and LAND 8116 Phase 3 is anticipated to commence in the mid-2030s, delivering a mid-life upgrade that will provide an opportunity to incorporate emerging technologies.

K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer

K9 Thunder South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer is designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha. K9 howitzers operate in groups with the K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicle variant. Development of K9A2 variant is currently in process.

The K9 can fire its first round within 30 seconds from the moment it first receives firing information from the Fire Direction Center (FDC) while in emplaced situation. While moving, it can fire after 60 seconds. After firing, K9 Thunder can quickly move away from its last position in anticipation of the enemy’s counter fire, before firing its next shot.