South Korea Unveils New Truck-Mounted 155mm Howitzer to Meet Modern Artillery Needs
In a move that signals South Korea’s ongoing commitment to advancing its military capabilities, Hanwha Aerospace has unveiled a new wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The introduction took place at the 2024 Defense Quality Comprehensive Symposium in Changwon on July 19, drawing attention from military experts and industry insiders worldwide.
The new wheeled howitzer is an innovative response to the growing demand for agile, cost-effective artillery solutions. This development builds on the success of Hanwha's K9 self-propelled howitzer, a tracked vehicle renowned for its performance and widespread adoption. The K9 has garnered significant international interest, with over nine countries incorporating it into their arsenals and commanding more than 36% of the global 155mm howitzer market. Notably, in July 2022, Hanwha secured a major contract to supply 54 K9 units to Romania, underscoring the model’s global appeal and reliability.
However, the limitations of the K9 became apparent in recent competitive assessments, such as the UK’s Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) competition in April. While the K9's tracked design excels in rugged terrain and supports rapid repositioning without requiring ground spades for stability, it is more expensive to maintain and operate than wheeled systems. These factors highlighted the need for a complementary wheeled version.
The new wheeled howitzer from Hanwha aims to address these gaps, particularly in terms of cost-efficiency and operational flexibility. Unlike the tracked K9, the wheeled variant can travel extensive distances on roads without the need for additional transport, offering significant logistical advantages. The vehicle is built on the proven chassis of the KTSSM launch vehicle, renowned for its mobility in diverse terrains, including deserts and mountains.
A standout feature of the new howitzer is its integration of the K9A2 turret, equipped with a fully automated loading system. This technology allows the vehicle to operate with a minimal crew of just two or three personnel, maintaining an impressive rate of fire. The modularity of the turret means it can be mounted on various platforms, allowing for customization to meet specific customer requirements. Future configurations could include a longer 58-caliber gun, capable of striking targets over 70 kilometers away with guided munitions.
Despite these advancements, one noted difference between Hanwha’s new howitzer and the German RCH 155, which won the UK competition, is the need for a spade to stabilize the vehicle during firing. This requirement might slightly delay the initial shot compared to the RCH 155, which can fire on the move. Nonetheless, the spade design promises better cost-efficiency, drawing parallels with Rheinmetall’s HX3 wheeled howitzer.
Hanwha Aerospace is independently funding the development of this new howitzer but plans to submit it for the upcoming export weapon system development project. If selected, it could significantly enhance Hanwha's competitiveness in the global defense market, echoing the success of the AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle.
This latest innovation from Hanwha Aerospace not only showcases South Korea’s engineering prowess but also represents a strategic move to meet evolving global defense needs, positioning the country as a key player in the international military landscape.
