Hanwha Defense Selected as Sole Candidate for '1 Trillion KRW Scale' Australia K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Export

K9 self-propelled howitzer (right in the photo) and the K10 ammunition resupply armored vehicle following behind to supply ammunition

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Hanwha Defense announced on the 3rd that the K9 self-propelled howitzer has been selected as the sole candidate model for the Australian Army's self-propelled howitzer acquisition project.

After the Australian government's proposal evaluation and price negotiations, it is expected that a mass production contract will be signed around 2021.

Australia has allocated a budget of approximately 1 trillion won for this project to deliver 30 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 15 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles.

The K9 self-propelled howitzer was also selected as the final preferred candidate model for the Australian Army's self-propelled howitzer project in 2010. However, the export of the K9 self-propelled howitzer was canceled when the Australian government halted the howitzer project in 2012 due to defense budget cuts. At that time, Australia intended to acquire both towed and self-propelled howitzers, but due to budget cuts, only towed howitzers were procured.

With Australia restarting the self-propelled howitzer acquisition project and selecting the K9 as the sole candidate, the export of self-propelled howitzers is being pursued again after 10 years.

The defense cooperation between South Korea and Australia has also been strengthened, influenced by the summit between the two countries' leaders in September last year, where defense and defense industry cooperation was a major agenda, and the discussions in December between the foreign and defense ministers of both countries on expanding defense industry cooperation.

The K9 self-propelled howitzer has a maximum range of 40 km and a firing rate of 6 to 8 rounds per minute. A Hanwha Defense official explained that the K9 boasts overwhelming firepower, high mobility, and survivability. Based on its long-range fire support and real-time concentrated fire capability, it can operate in various operational environments from deserts to snowy fields.

Hanwha Defense has exported the K9 self-propelled howitzer to Turkey, Poland, Finland, India, Norway, and Estonia.

The K10 ammunition resupply vehicle, which was exported to Norway, can carry 104 shells at once and automatically supply ammunition to the K9.

Seong-su Lee, CEO of Hanwha Defense, said, "Australia's decision to adopt the K9 is a valuable result of South Korea-Australia defense cooperation and a remarkable achievement proving the technological prowess of the Republic of Korea's defense industry. We will work with the Australian government to establish local production facilities and train personnel."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.