Record-Breaking 'K9 User Club' Held... Discussion Topics [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Sharing Operation and Maintenance... Introduction of 'MRO Platform TOMMS'
Pursuing Ammunition Compatibility and K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Upgrades

K9 self-propelled howitzer operating countries, recognized as a premium domestic weapon, gathered in one place. The ‘K9 User Club’ is scheduled to discuss the operation and maintenance status of the K9 self-propelled howitzer as well as plans to expand K9 ammunition compatibility, which is expected to enhance satisfaction among importing countries.

According to Hanwha Aerospace on the 9th, the ‘K9 User Club’ was held on the 8th (local time) in Krakow, Poland. The User Club, representing K9 operating countries including South Korea, consists of 10 countries: T?rkiye, Poland, India, Estonia, Norway, Finland, Australia, Egypt, and others. The K9 self-propelled howitzer is recognized for its excellent performance, holding the undisputed No. 1 market share in the global self-propelled howitzer export market, and is operated by many European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. According to a report by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), among 16 types of medium (152/155mm caliber) self-propelled howitzers operated worldwide, the K9 holds a 36% market share, ranking first. Since 2010, out of 1,401 155mm self-propelled howitzers traded globally, the K9 accounted for 626 units, representing 45%. If Vietnam adopts the K9 in the future, it will become the 11th country to do so.

This annual event was held on the largest scale ever. Nine countries participated, including seven operating countries?Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Australia, Romania, and South Korea?and two observer countries, the United States and Sweden. Attending countries toured the production facility of the Krab self-propelled howitzer at HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola), a Polish state-owned defense company with which Hanwha Aerospace recently signed a parts supply contract worth 400 billion KRW, and also visited field units operating the K9.

Importance of Ammunition Compatibility Highlighted by Ukraine War

The core topic to be discussed at this year’s ‘K9 User Club’ is the plan to expand K9 ammunition compatibility. The K9 self-propelled howitzer uses 155mm shells, one of the most frequently used weapons in the Russia-Ukraine war. South Korea is the world’s largest producer, manufacturing about 250,000 rounds annually. Following the Russia-Ukraine war, Europe has been establishing its own shell production facilities. Poland decided to invest a budget of 1 trillion KRW starting this year to produce 155mm shells domestically, responding to the surge in demand caused by the Russian war. Ukraine has also completed the expansion of its 155mm shell production facilities and started domestic production. To this end, Ukraine reportedly acquired shell production technology from German defense company Rheinmetall and American defense company General Dynamics. In October last year, Ukraine also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lithuania to build a factory for ammunition production.

Rapid Maintenance Key for User Club Countries

Follow-up logistics support for the K9 is also a topic of discussion. Hanwha Aerospace plans to apply Hanwha Systems’ IoT (Internet of Things)-based MRO platform, ‘TOMMS,’ to K9 maintenance. TOMMS is a system that collects and monitors weapon system status in real time to optimize maintenance time and costs. Jo Sang-hwan, head of the MRO division, said, "As the number of K9 user countries increases, the importance of follow-up support is gradually growing, and we are seeking ways to improve quality and maximize logistics support effectiveness."

Introducing the Upgraded Future Self-Propelled Howitzer K9

The upgraded K9 will also be showcased. The ‘K9 User Club’ demands conditions suitable for various battlefield environments. The currently exported K9 will be upgraded to the A2 version with unmanned automatic loading capability and the A3 version capable of combined manned and unmanned operation. The K9A2, the second performance upgrade version of the K9, is scheduled for completion in 2027, with the core feature being an automated turret self-propelled howitzer. The crew size will be reduced from five to three, while the firing rate per minute will increase from six to nine or more rounds. The K9A3 focuses on a combined manned and unmanned operation system. It will be equipped with LiDAR (autonomous driving assistance device) and driving cameras on the chassis, side driving assistance cameras, and remote communication devices on top of the turret. Two command armored vehicles (FDCVs) can command six unmanned K9A3 self-propelled howitzers. The maximum range will double from the current 40 km to 80 km, and the firing rate per minute will increase by more than 10 rounds.

Michael Coulter, Global Defense Head of Hanwha Aerospace, emphasized, "The K9 User Club held in Poland holds significant meaning for strengthening strategic partnerships and security cooperation between the two countries. Going forward, through the K9 User Club, we will widely promote the excellence of the K9 self-propelled howitzer and identify additional export opportunities."