TOWNSVILLE, QLD — The Australian Army has officially fielded its first protected mobile fires battery with the 3rd Brigade, introducing the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer into operational training with 106 Battery, 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery.
Six AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and one AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle have been delivered to 106 Battery at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.
The delivery follows Australia’s first AS9 operator training and live-fire activity at the School of Artillery in Puckapunyal, Victoria. In May, 30 gunners from 4th Regiment completed a six-week training course, followed by live-fire activity involving around 150 rounds from multiple AS9 systems.
Brigadier James Davis, Director General Systems and Integration, said the transition from Australian production to trained crews conducting live fire in a short period demonstrated effective cooperation between the Army, the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and industry partners.
Australian-built artillery capability
The AS9 Huntsman is a tracked 155mm/52-calibre self-propelled howitzer based on the South Korean K9 Thunder. It is designed to provide protected indirect fire while allowing artillery crews to rapidly relocate after completing a firing mission.
The vehicle has a maximum road speed of more than 60 km/h, carries a crew of about five and has onboard storage for around 48 rounds. It can fire three rounds in about 15 seconds and sustain six to eight rounds per minute.
Its reported range is approximately 30–40 km with standard ammunition and up to around 60 km with specialised ammunition.
The AS10 uses the same tracked chassis and is designed to resupply the AS9. Its automated ammunition-transfer system allows ammunition to be transferred while crews remain under armour, with a stated capacity of around 100 rounds.
Local production under LAND 8116
Australia is acquiring the Huntsman system through LAND 8116 Phase 1, Protected Mobile Fires. The program covers 30 AS9 howitzers and 15 AS10 resupply vehicles under a contract with Hanwha Defence Australia valued at approximately A$1 billion.
Initial vehicles were manufactured in South Korea and arrived in Australia in late 2024 or early 2025. The remaining vehicles are being produced locally at Hanwha Defence Australia’s Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence near Avalon Airport in Geelong, Victoria.
The program forms part of the Australian Army’s broader modernisation toward a heavier and more protected force, with the AS9 providing a tracked alternative to the M777 towed howitzers for the 3rd Brigade’s protected mobile fires capability.
Moving to collective training
The introduction of the first battery now allows 106 Battery to move beyond individual operator qualification and begin collective training.
During Exercise Pozieres Run, crews will integrate the AS9 and AS10 into 3rd Brigade activities while 4th Regiment develops the tactics, techniques and procedures needed for brigade and divisional employment.
Major General Ash Collingburn, Commander 1st Division, said the new capability was intended to provide a warfighting advantage by making soldiers more lethal, mobile and survivable.
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Frewin, Commanding Officer of 4th Regiment, said 106 Battery was ready to take the systems into the field and build its collective proficiency.
Sergeant Dale Chivers, battery guide for 106 Battery, said the AS9 could come into action in about 30 seconds, conduct its firing mission and move quickly, improving survivability and allowing the battery to keep pace with the brigade.
The Australian Army is working toward full operational capability for protected mobile fires by 2028.
——— End of Article ———
