[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense video] K-9 Self-Propelled Howitzer to Undergo Performance Upgrade Once More

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] An upgraded model of the K-9 self-propelled howitzer, renowned as a premium weapon, is expected to be released in the second half of this year. The currently supplied K-9 self-propelled howitzer K9A1 version will be transformed into the K9A2.

According to Hanwha Defense on the 4th, the K-9 self-propelled howitzer supplied to the military since 2018 is the K9A1 version. Hanwha Defense plans to upgrade this model to the K9A2 by the end of this year.

The K9A1 version of the K-9 self-propelled howitzer has a top speed of 67 km/h, a maximum range of 40 km, a firing rate of 6 to 8 rounds per minute, an ammunition load of 48 rounds, and a combat weight of 47 tons. The K-10 ammunition resupply vehicle carries 104 shells and 504 units of propellant, has a movement speed of 10 rounds per minute, fully automatic inventory management, and a combat weight of 47 tons.

The upgraded K9A2 is expected to increase the firing rate by about 50% and fully automate the previously semi-automatic loading of shells and propellant as well as the insertion of the fuse timer. In the future, the K9A3 version will also be developed. The industry expects the K9A3 version to be fully unmanned, enabling remote operation without crew.

The K-9 self-propelled howitzer is also a successful export product. Starting with Turkey (280 units) in 2001, about 600 units have been exported to countries including Poland (120 chassis), Finland (28 units), India (100 units), Norway (24 units), and Estonia (12 units). This is the largest scale for a ground weapon system produced domestically, worth approximately 2 trillion KRW.

The K9 self-propelled howitzer, with a maximum range of 40 km and the ability to fire 3 rounds within 15 seconds, is evaluated as superior in range compared to the US 'M109 A6' (Paladin) and the UK 'AS90' (Braveheart). Even when compared to the world’s top-rated German PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer, its performance is not significantly inferior, and it is popular due to its reasonable price. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), from 2000 to 2017, the K9 self-propelled howitzer accounted for 48% (572 units) of the global self-propelled howitzer export market share, surpassing the German PzH2000 (189 units), French Caesar (175 units), and Chinese PLZ-45 (128 units).

The Indian Army received 41 units of the 'K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer,' a locally modified version of the K9 self-propelled howitzer, ahead of schedule and deployed them in actual combat. This is believed to be influenced by the excellent performance of 10 K-9 self-propelled howitzers delivered by Hanwha Defense at the end of 2018 in the India-Pakistan conflict. The unit price for the K-9 self-propelled howitzer supplied to the Korean military is known to be about 4 billion KRW per unit.