‘K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Engine Localization’ to be Handled by STX Engine.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist] STX Engine has been finally selected as the contractor for the 'K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Engine Localization' project. This project will support a total of 25 billion KRW in engine localization development costs over five years, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to enable the successfully developed parts to be actually used in weapon systems. Considering that about 12,000 units of K-9 self-propelled howitzers and K-10 ammunition carriers have been supplied to the Republic of Korea Army, the military will also be able to reduce maintenance costs in the future.

According to the military on the 1st, the K9 self-propelled howitzer engine localization was announced last February as the first task selected through a memorandum of understanding signed in May last year between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and DAPA for cooperation in technology development of materials and parts in the defense industry sector.

STX Engine, in charge of the K-9 self-propelled howitzer engine localization project, stated, "The K-9 self-propelled howitzer engine has been produced with technical cooperation from Germany's MTU, resulting in a localization rate of 60%, but through this localization project, if we apply our own technology, we expect to raise the localization rate to 100%." They also anticipate that if the intermediate performance targets during the three-year engine development are achieved, exports to countries such as the UAE will be possible.

Upon completion of the K9 self-propelled howitzer engine localization by STX Engine, a production inducement effect of 1.2 trillion KRW is expected by 2030. The regional economic impact is also significant. It is added that the project is expected to maintain employment for about 230 local small and medium-sized partner companies and create over 5,000 new jobs.

Meanwhile, STX Engine has been recognized for producing diesel engines with world-class competitiveness since its establishment in 1976. In 1977, it signed a diesel engine overhaul agreement with Germany's MTU, and in 2018, it achieved the production of 20 million horsepower of defense diesel engines for the first time in Korea. Notably, through DAPA's weapon system modification and development project, it developed a 1,360-horsepower engine to upgrade the powerpack performance of the K1A2 tank.

STX Engine supplies diesel engines not only for the Army's main battle tanks such as the K1 and its variants, K1A2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and K10 ammunition carriers but also for naval vessels including destroyers (KDX class), fast attack crafts, frigates, patrol vessels, and submarines (KSS2 and KSS3).