Hanwha Aerospace to Unveil K9A1 Howitzer with Indigenous Engine at IDEX 2025

Hanwha Aerospace will showcase the K9A1 self-propelled howitzer equipped with a domestically developed 1,000-horsepower engine at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) 2025, taking place at the ADNEC Exhibition Center in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., from February 17-21.

This marks the first public unveiling of the howitzer featuring South Korea's locally produced engine, which has undergone extensive testing in various operational environments.

The year-long testing program for the new engine involved rigorous trials across multiple countries, including South Korea and Egypt. The trials, conducted between mid-2023 and December 2024, covered over 10,000 km in diverse terrains, particularly focusing on performance in desert environments. Hanwha Aerospace stated that these trials validated the engine’s reliability and suitability for deployment in different operational conditions.

Following the completion of testing, mass production of the K9 self-propelled howitzer package in Egypt is set to commence in the second half of 2025. Hanwha Aerospace signed a $1.5 billion contract with Egypt in February 2022 to supply K9 howitzers, K10 ammunition transport vehicles, and K11 fire command armored vehicles. The first batch of K9A1EGY units equipped with the indigenous engine is expected to be delivered to Egypt no later than the first quarter of 2026.

Shift from Foreign-Sourced Engines

Previously, the K9 self-propelled howitzer utilized German-made MTU engines, requiring export approval from the original manufacturer, which limited potential sales to regions such as the Middle East. To address this constraint, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, along with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), launched a localization initiative in 2020. By 2023, approximately 500 key engine components were produced domestically, allowing for greater export flexibility.

K9 Howitzer

Developed in 1998 by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Hanwha, the K9 self-propelled howitzer is equipped with a 155mm/52-caliber gun capable of firing standard and extended-range munitions. The system features an automatic fire control mechanism, allowing it to fire within 30 seconds from a stationary position and 60 seconds while on the move, with a maximum fire rate of six to eight rounds per minute.

The K9 SPH has been acquired by 10 countries, including six NATO members—Estonia, Finland, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Turkey. Vietnam is also reportedly considering the system as part of its military modernization plans.

Hanwha’s Defense Showcase at IDEX 2025

As South Korea’s largest defense contractor, Hanwha Aerospace will present various defense systems at IDEX 2025, including artillery platforms, armored vehicles, and missile defense systems. A key highlight will be the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) system, designed for upper-tier air defense. The L-SAM is interoperable with lower-tier systems such as M-SAM and PAC-3 and is set for mass production in 2025 for the Republic of Korea Air Force. Hanwha is also developing an advanced variant, the L-SAM II, expected to be completed by 2028.

Hanwha Systems, responsible for the L-SAM multi-function radar, will showcase its ability to detect high-altitude ballistic missiles and aircraft at extended ranges. In the space domain, Hanwha will present a small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, capable of delivering 0.25m resolution imagery for earth observation, environmental monitoring, and logistics analysis.

Other showcased systems will include the Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MRLS) for precision strikes, the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), the TIGON IFV and its tank destroyer variant, the TAipers anti-tank missile, the H-SHORAD air defense system, the mobile Multi-Function Radar (MFR) for threat detection, and an anti-drone system for countering unmanned aerial threats.