[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Will the K-9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Undergo Another Performance Upgrade?

K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, the Main Weapon of Army Firepower

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] As the deployment of the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the main weapon of the Army's firepower, is completed, attention is also being focused on performance upgrades. This is because plans to extend the range and make the turret unmanned have been proposed.

According to the military on the 14th, at the Firepower Combat Development Seminar held at the Artillery School on the 4th, the Army Development Association, a corporation, named the currently operational K9 self-propelled howitzer as the K9A1 version and stated that it should be upgraded to the K9A2-I by 2033 and the K9A2-II by 2040.

According to the research plan proposed by the Army Development Association, the K9A2-I applies unmanned automated turret technology. They claimed that unmanned operation could reduce the required crew for the self-propelled howitzer from 5 to 3. They also added that the firing rate should be increased from 6 rounds per minute to 9 rounds per minute, and by operating extended-range ammunition, the range should be extended to 54 km. Currently, the K9 self-propelled howitzer has a maximum range of 40 km.

The K9A2-II plans to be equipped with an automated cannon operated remotely. It will also have a system where one manned self-propelled howitzer can remotely control 2 to 3 unmanned self-propelled howitzers to fire. The barrel life will be extended from 1,000 rounds to 1,500 rounds, and by operating glide ammunition, the range can be extended up to 100 km. If the K9A2-II is operational, the Army Ground Operations Command and corps will see a significant improvement in the ability to strike key targets with precision. In particular, it will enhance the capability to respond to North Korea's new type of multiple rocket launchers. The K9A2-I can be deployed to divisions to strengthen defensive capabilities.

The K9 self-propelled howitzer is a 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer independently developed domestically by Hanwha Defense and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in 1998, and has been deployed domestically since 2000. It implemented the Time on Target (TOT) firing function, which allows a single gun to fire multiple rounds simultaneously to hit the target at the same time, maximizing firepower effect. The development of the 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer was the second in the world after Germany. The caliber length, which is the barrel length divided by the caliber, increases the barrel length and thus extends the range. The automated fire control system and excellent mobility greatly enhance the operator's survivability.

The K9 self-propelled howitzer is South Korea's representative defense export equipment, with over 1,700 units operated worldwide. The specifications of the K9 self-propelled howitzer include a maximum range of 40 km, a firing rate of 6 to 8 rounds per minute, and an ammunition load of 48 rounds. Based on its long-range fire support and real-time concentrated fire capability, the K9 can operate in various operational environments from deserts to snowfields.

Hanwha Defense has exported the K9 self-propelled howitzer to Turkey, Poland, Finland, India, Norway, and Estonia. The K10 ammunition resupply armored vehicle exported to Norway can carry 104 rounds of ammunition at once and automatically supply shells to the K9.