PUCKAPUNYAL, VICTORIA — June 05, 2026 : The Australian Army has completed its first live-fire training exercise using domestically produced AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers, marking a major milestone in the introduction of the Army’s new artillery capability.
Thirty soldiers from the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery conducted the inaugural live-fire activity after completing a six-week operator training course at the School of Artillery in Puckapunyal, Victoria. The training was the first time Australian Army crews operated and fired the Australian-built AS9 Huntsman as fully qualified crews.
The milestone comes only months after the first AS9 systems rolled off the production line at Hanwha Defence Australia’s facility in Geelong, highlighting the rapid transition from domestic manufacturing to operational service.
Director General Systems and Integration Brigadier James Davis said the achievement demonstrated effective cooperation between the Australian Army, the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), and industry partners.
“This live-fire shows how effectively we’re working with our industry and acquisition partners to bring new capability into service,” Brigadier Davis said.
“To move from an Australian production line to trained crews conducting live-fire in a short timeframe is a significant achievement.”
The AS9 Huntsman is a 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer based on South Korea’s K9 Thunder platform. The system is designed to provide protected and highly mobile fire support, allowing crews to rapidly move, fire, and relocate to reduce exposure to enemy counter-battery fire.
Australia is acquiring 30 AS9 Huntsman howitzers and 15 AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles under the LAND 8116 Phase 1 program. The AS10 can carry approximately 100 rounds of 155mm ammunition and automatically transfer them to the AS9 during operations.
The howitzer can engage targets at standard ranges of around 30 kilometers, with ranges extending up to 60 kilometers using specialized ammunition.
The six-week training course introduced soldiers to all major aspects of operating the new artillery system. Many participants were transitioning from the Army’s M777 towed howitzers, which require significantly more manual setup before firing.
Soldiers qualified across multiple five-person crew positions, including commander, gunner, assistant gunner, driver, and loader. Training included live-fire operations, vehicle handling, night driving, and tactical maneuvering. Each participant completed at least 17 hours of tracked vehicle driving.
Commanding Officer of the School of Artillery Lieutenant Colonel Chris D’Aquino described the training as an important step in introducing the new capability.
“This capability enhances how we deliver firepower. It’s protected, mobile and far more responsive than what it replaces,” Lieutenant Colonel D’Aquino said.
“For our gunners, this is about building confidence in a new system and learning how to employ it under realistic conditions.”
For soldiers transitioning from towed artillery, the AS9 Huntsman represents a significant technological upgrade. Gunner Maxwell Cleal, who previously operated the M777, said the system simplifies the firing process.
“The gunner puts all the information into the system, presses a button and it lays the gun,” Cleal said.
Unlike the M777, the AS9 can begin engaging targets almost immediately after reaching a firing position.
Bombardier Nick Burrough also highlighted the advanced technology integrated into the platform and the increased responsibilities for commanders during live-fire operations.
“It’s top-class technology. No one’s at the level this vehicle’s at,” Burrough said.
Following the course, the soldiers will return to their units to further develop operating procedures and expand expertise as additional AS9 Huntsman and AS10 vehicles enter service, supporting the Australian Army’s modernization and the expansion of Australia’s domestic defense manufacturing capability.
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