Hanwha Aerospace has been selected as the sole manufacturer for the U.S. Army’s tactical artillery modernization project, outpacing global defense giants like Germany’s Rheinmetall and the UK’s BAE Systems. This breakthrough marks the first entry of a South Korean weapon, the K9 wheeled self-propelled howitzer, into the U.S. market.
The U.S. Army announced on Tuesday that it had awarded a contract to Hanwha Defense USA for the prototype development of the new Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program following a competitive bidding process. Hanwha Defense USA, the American defense subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, spearheads the group’s defense initiatives for the U.S. Army and Navy.
The contract stipulates that Hanwha Defense USA will deliver up to 18 K9 wheeled self-propelled howitzer prototypes over a four-year period. The initial order includes six prototypes, with an option for an additional dozen. The total contract value stands at 262 million USD.
The K9 wheeled self-propelled howitzer is an innovative adaptation of the tracked K9 howitzer, featuring rubber tires instead of tracks. It also incorporates an automated turret system, allowing crew members to load and fire remotely without physically occupying the turret.
The U.S. Army plans to conduct extensive field trials with the K9 wheeled prototypes before making a final decision on combat deployment. Typically, barring any significant defects or disqualifying issues, the U.S. military proceeds with full-scale production contracts after these evaluations. If successful, the K9 wheeled self-propelled howitzer will replace the aging M777 towed howitzers currently in service.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Army solicited proposals from leading global defense firms for next-generation self-propelled howitzer prototypes. Bloomberg News reported that the competitive field included Hanwha Defense USA, Germany’s Rheinmetall, the UK’s BAE Systems, America’s General Dynamics, and Israel’s Elbit Systems. The Army’s decision to select Hanwha Defense USA was based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors including delivery timelines, performance specifications, and localization costs.
Hanwha Aerospace Prepares for Potential U.S. Army Shift to Wheeled Artillery, Establishing K9 Localization Hub in Alabama
This contract represents a historic milestone as the first South Korean weapon system to be supplied to the U.S., the world’s largest defense market. It marks a significant shift in the military relationship between the two nations, with South Korea now supporting the rebuilding of U.S. artillery capabilities 76 years after receiving American artillery support during the Korean War. Hanwha Aerospace has successfully positioned itself in the global market with both tracked and wheeled self-propelled howitzer variants.
Industry experts attribute this achievement to the foresight of Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group, who anticipated the U.S. demand for wheeled self-propelled howitzers. While the U.S. Army initially focused on tracked howitzer development in the early 2020s, the increasing need for long-range troop deployment prompted a shift towards more mobile wheeled platforms.
Recognizing the potential shift in U.S. military requirements due to evolving global security dynamics, Kim directed comprehensive preparations for this opportunity. When the U.S. Army’s 2024 budget proposal included funding for a wheeled self-propelled howitzer project, Hanwha Aerospace promptly initiated the development of the K9 wheeled variant in December of that year.
The successful entry into the U.S. market was greatly facilitated by close collaboration between Hanwha Aerospace and the South Korean government. Throughout the project, from inception to contract award, Hanwha Aerospace and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration maintained continuous communication and coordinated responses to key issues. This partnership extended to the final stages of the bidding process, with rapid consultations and government-level support. Looking ahead, Hanwha Aerospace plans to maintain this collaborative approach with DAPA to ensure stable supply of the K9 wheeled self-propelled howitzer and further expand its presence in the U.S. defense market.
Hanwha Aerospace is accelerating its U.S. localization strategy. In 2020, it became the first South Korean private company to enter into a joint research agreement with the U.S. Army. This May, the company leased a vacant factory in Opelika, Alabama, for three years to establish a local integration and testing facility for the K9 howitzer. Future plans include investments in the local howitzer supply chain to bolster the U.S. combat vehicle industry and solidify Hanwha’s position as a long-term modernization partner for the U.S. Army.
