K-9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Heads to Romania This Time [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Visit to Europe's Largest Defense Exhibition 'Eurosatory 2024'

The 2024 Eurosatory, considered one of the world's top three defense exhibitions, was held on the 17th (local time) at the Paris Nord Villepinte Convention Center in France.

On the 17th (local time), the Korean Pavilion at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition held at the Paris Nord Villepinte Convention Center in France. Major domestic defense companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, and LS Mtron are gathered in one place. (Paris=Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of National Defense)

Eurosatory, the largest land weapons system defense exhibition in Europe, has been held biennially since 1967. This year, about 2,000 companies from 60 countries participated, and approximately 60,000 visitors are expected.

The opening ceremony held in the morning was attended by military officials and defense industry representatives from around the world. Military officials in uniform from various countries met in front of the venue and exchanged conversations. Those who could not enter the opening ceremony hall watched the event via video in a seminar room set up next to the ceremony hall.

S?bastien Lecornu, France’s Minister of Defense, emphasized in his opening remarks that “compared to two years ago, the focus has been on improving the industrial efficiency and reliability of military weapons,” highlighting the importance of military equipment applying 4th industrial revolution technologies such as AI and electronic devices. He added, “There is a large amount of weapon exports and imports, so countries must cooperate technically, enhance reliability, and share know-how.”

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At the 2024 Eurosatory, which opened on the 17th (local time), there was intense interest in Korean-made weapons and domestic defense companies. Especially, government officials from Eastern European countries negotiating exports with Korea visited the Korean pavilion immediately after the opening ceremony to continue export-related discussions.

In the morning, Ion-Cornel Ple?a, Deputy Head of Romania’s Acquisition Office, who is negotiating the export of the K-9 self-propelled howitzer with Korea, visited the Korean pavilion. It was reported that Romania showed interest not only in the K-9 self-propelled howitzer, which is in the final stages of export negotiations, but also in the export version of the infantry fighting vehicle Redback and the K-2 tank.

‘Cheonmu’ Debuts in Europe... K-2 Export Version Also Highly Anticipated

Domestically, 28 defense companies participated and set up an exhibition hall covering 1,070㎡, about 1.9 times larger than the 568㎡ booth at the 2020 event.

Major companies included Hanwha Aerospace, which produces the K-9 self-propelled howitzer; Hyundai Rotem, which manufactures the K-2 tank; and Poongsan, which produces ammunition.

Our companies showcased key weapons that have been exported to or are under contract with Eastern European countries. Hanwha Aerospace exhibited the multiple launch guided rocket system ‘Cheonmu’ in Europe for the first time at this exhibition. Poland also signed a contract with Hanwha in April to purchase 72 units of Cheonmu.

Cheonmu boasts a diversified missile lineup with ranges of 80 km, 160 km, and 290 km, and is particularly attractive to several countries because it can use the Russian-made 122 mm caliber rockets mainly used by Eastern European countries. Norway is also conducting export discussions related to Cheonmu during the exhibition period by visiting the Korean pavilion. Since the Ukraine war, Norway, which has been considering the introduction of multiple launch rocket systems, is currently deliberating between the US HIMARS and Cheonmu.

On the 17th (local time), people visited the small and medium-sized enterprises pavilion within the Korea Pavilion at "Eurosatory 2024," held at the Paris Nord Villepinte Convention Center in Paris, France, and looked around the exhibits. The SME pavilion, organized by the Defense Industry Promotion Association, featured exhibition spaces for 13 domestic small and medium defense companies, including Youngpoong Electronics and Korea Defense Industry. Paris=Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of National Defense

Lee Buhwan, head of Hanwha Aerospace’s European branch, explained, “The demand for multiple launch rockets has surged due to the Ukraine war. There are many inquiries from countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Bulgaria, and negotiations are underway with modified models tailored to their needs. We expect good results.”

Alongside Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem attracted attention at the Korean pavilion. Hyundai Rotem exhibited the export version of its flagship K-2 tank, the K-2 EX. Unlike the existing K-2 tank, the K-2 EX is equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS).

To counter enemy drone attacks, it is equipped with a jammer (radio interference device) and an active protection system (APS). The APS is installed as a set on both sides for protection during anti-tank combat, with one shot externally exposed. When one shot is fired, automatic reloading occurs, allowing a total of four shots?two on each side. Each shot contains seven rounds. Hyundai Rotem executed the first contract in July 2022 to export 180 K-2 tanks to Poland and is pursuing follow-up contracts.

The multipurpose unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) also stood out. It performs roles such as gathering information unmanned or transporting wounded soldiers and ammunition. When equipped with suicide drones, it can also perform attack missions. Recently, Hyundai Rotem has been working on enhancing UGV technology.

Additionally, although not yet demonstrated, Hyundai Rotem showcased a future version of the K-2 tank under development. This tank will apply 130 mm shells to increase firepower and demonstrate a method of responding according to the situation using various weapons. Ultimately, the goal is to use hydrogen fuel, with development planned to be completed by 2030.

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Poongsan, mainly producing ammunition, exhibited the munitions used in the K-9 self-propelled howitzer at Eurosatory. Particularly notable was the 155 mm extended-range ammunition for the K-9 self-propelled howitzer, successfully developed last year. Without changing the specifications of the existing howitzer, the performance of the ammunition itself was improved to extend the range. The previous range of 40 km was increased by 50% to 60 km by adding rocket propellant, achieving performance enhancement.

They also exhibited drones utilizing ammunition tailored for next-generation defense weapons. The small drone for ammunition drop attack is in the final stages of development. It can carry and drop three miniature bombs while flying. A coaxial drone, about 80% complete, was also exhibited. The coaxial drone can combine various modules depending on the battlefield situation to change its purpose. It can be used for combat support, surveillance reconnaissance, explosion, and armor penetration according to the situation.

At Poongsan’s booth that day, officials from several countries, including Eastern Europe, visited and inquired about weapons. Park Woo-dong, Vice Chairman of Poongsan, held meetings with government and military officials from various countries every hour.

Vice Chairman Park said, “More than 99% of Poongsan’s materials are domestically produced,” adding, “Compared to other competitors, we have many advantages such as quality, price, delivery time, and trust from customers.” He continued, “Since there is no country in the world that does not use ammunition, there is great interest from many countries including Eastern Europe.”

The Korean pavilion also attracted attention with a small and medium enterprise pavilion organized by the Defense Industry Association. The SME pavilion housed 13 small and medium companies such as Youngpoong Electronics and Korea Defense Industry. The SME pavilion, prepared with an area of 142.5㎡, featured small booths for each company to exhibit. It was located right in front of major companies like Hanwha Aerospace and Hyundai Rotem, attracting continuous foot traffic from visitors.

On-site, while there was intense interest in Korean defense companies, concerns were also raised about the spreading ‘K-Defense check’ centered on some European countries such as France and Germany. On April 25, French President Emmanuel Macron, in a speech to European Union (EU) Parliament officials at Sorbonne University in Paris, said, “For Europe’s autonomous defense, we need to purchase more European-made equipment,” and urged, “Let’s buy European weapons instead of American and Korean weapons.” The EU also recommended through the ‘European Defense Industrial Strategy (EDIS)’ announced in March to increase the share of European-made weapons in EU countries from the current 20% to 50% by 2030 and to expand the scale of defense transactions within the EU from 15% to 35%. Given that the Korean government plans to enter the world’s top 4 in defense exports by 2027, there is a forecast that European countries will intensify their checks on defense exports by the Korean government and companies.

Seo Hyuk, head of the Defense Policy Research Center at the Korea Defense Industry Association, said, “We could confirm on-site that interest in K-Defense is very high worldwide,” but added, “Since the EU announced EDIS, which could negatively affect Korean companies, we intend to use this exhibition as an opportunity to understand what European countries are thinking and to establish strategies on what we need to prepare.”