Hanwha K9 Selected as Sole Provider for US Army Self-Propelled Howitzer Program

Hanwha's K9 MH self-propelled howitzer has been exclusively selected as the prototype manufacturer for the US Army's wheeled self-propelled howitzer acquisition program. This achievement was made over leading global competitors such as Germany, the UK, and GM. The key reasons for the US Army's selection of the K9 MH were its rapid delivery capability, excellent cost-effectiveness, superior performance, and quick overseas production strategy.

The US military prefers wheeled self-propelled howitzers due to their ease of securing mobility during long-distance travel. The need to compensate for the limitations of the existing towed artillery operated by the US military and the necessity of an operational method that can be loaded onto a truck, moved, and immediately deployed on the battlefield has emerged. Correspondent Kim Min-seok explained, "When traveling long distances, tanks are also carried on trailers anyway, the wheeled ones. Considering that, wheeled self-propelled howitzers have advantages for long-distance travel and maneuverability, which is why they are desired."

The K9 MH self-propelled howitzer maintains the core performance of the existing K9 A2 but has been modified to be wheeled. In particular, it is characterized by being operable by only three personnel and having maximized firing speed. Correspondent Kim Min-seok stated, "From that perspective, its cruising range is long, it can travel long distances, and its firing speed is very fast. It's much faster than our K9 currently operated by our military, and it only requires three personnel." He added that its production capability for immediate delivery by the end of the year has also been proven.

Hanwha plans to lease a facility in Opelika, Alabama, for three years to establish an integrated K9 MH facility. This is a strategy to strengthen the supply chain within the US through local production. The selection of a site in a Republican-dominated area also suggests an intention to explore strategic linkages with the US political landscape.

The US has been experiencing an ammunition shortage since the war in Ukraine, and increased production by existing manufacturers such as General Dynamics has faced limitations. Supply disruptions due to faulty production lines from Turkish partners have also contributed to this problem. In this situation, Hanwha's strength in simultaneously supplying howitzers and ammunition has been highlighted, making it a strong alternative to resolve the US ammunition supply shortage.

During the Korean War, General Van Fleet deployed 400 cannons to Mapo and the Han River to retake Seoul, firing over 300,000 shells in three days to repel the Chinese forces. This mass offensive tactic using large-scale artillery became known as 'Van Fleet ammunition,' and serves as a historical background embedded in the strengthening of US artillery power.

The US's strengthening of its defense partnership with South Korea clearly demonstrates its intention to bolster its national defense capabilities by leveraging the defense business capabilities of the Republic of Korea and Hanwha Group. The high cost and weight burden of howitzer transport, along with the US's desire to expand its domestic defense capabilities, are the background for this cooperation. Hanwha Ocean is also participating in the construction of missile tracking ships for the US Navy and in logistics support ships and national security multipurpose vessel projects, expanding the partnership.

Hanwha Aerospace's aerospace engine division is developing an advanced multi-purpose jet engine. This engine is planned for use in unmanned combat aircraft, and discussions for engine collaboration with global companies such as Lockheed Martin are also underway. Correspondent Kim Min-seok explained, "There is an aerospace engine division. They are developing an advanced multi-purpose jet engine. This engine will be used for unmanned combat aircraft, and it's a very good engine."

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is significantly strengthening its air defense system by placing additional orders for Cheongung-II and THAAD launchers through South Korea. This is a strategy to quickly augment its insufficient air defense assets to preserve its territory in the event of a secondary attack. While Cheongung-II has shown a high interception success rate of 96%, it is facing inventory depletion issues, and the procurement of US-made weapons like Patriot and THAAD is delayed. Therefore, the UAE is seen as bolstering its defensive capabilities by acquiring South Korean air defense systems.

The Philippine Secretary of National Defense shared a local media article on his official Facebook page, indicating that Cheongung-II has been selected as the final candidate for the Philippines' ground-based air defense system acquisition project, signaling its likely adoption. Cheongung-II's competitiveness compared to European and Israeli alternatives has been highlighted, but Israel is experiencing export disruptions due to prioritizing domestic demand. Currently, contract details and acquisition scale are in the negotiation stage.

Indonesia also issued a letter of intent to purchase Cheongung-II on May 18, expressing its intention to procure two batteries. While this is not a confirmed purchase, it offers a glimpse into the possibility of adoption through a quote inquiry. Exports to the Philippines and Indonesia, though smaller in scale than those to the Middle East, hold significant strategic importance as a first step into the Southeast Asian defense market.

Geopolitical conflicts are expected to continue indefinitely, sustaining demand for South Korean missiles. If the Iran war subsides, the possibility of intensifying cross-strait conflicts or competition with China in Southeast Asia is high. Correspondent Kim Min-seok stated, "When one war ends somewhere, a new one begins. If the Iran war normalizes, next month, cross-strait conflicts or competition with China in Southeast Asia will intensify, so I believe there will be a steady demand for South Korean missiles for at least the next 20 years," predicting sustained demand for at least two decades.

The US Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) presented five key ways to neutralize Chinese aircraft carrier capabilities. These include underwater ambushes using submarines, establishing a distributed ground-based anti-ship missile network, and operating long-range aircraft-based firepower. Cyber electronic warfare attacks and port denial operations utilizing swarms of unmanned systems were also presented as important strategies.

One of the biggest weaknesses of the Chinese Navy is pointed out as its submarine response capability. Despite China building Aegis-like ships and aircraft carriers, the lack of a database for detecting and operating underwater submarines is cited as a problem. Correspondent Kim Min-seok explained, "It is said that the weakest aspect of the Chinese Navy is its submarine response capability. Although China builds Aegis-like ships and aircraft carriers, to detect underwater submarines and operate its own submarines, it needs a lot of database."

CSIS emphasized the need for not only US submarines but also allied submarine forces to counter Chinese aircraft carriers. While Japanese submarines are excellent, South Korea's Jangbogo-III submarine possesses the unique strength of vertical launch systems. This highlights the importance of allied cooperation for efficient response, considering the complexity of submarine tracking.

The KF-21 will be delivered to our Air Force for the first time on September 17, entering the full-scale operational deployment phase. Promises of know-how sharing have been made to countries such as Poland and the UAE, and reliability has been secured with 1,600 accident-free flights of the prototype aircraft. Correspondent Kim Min-seok stated, "Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates – I don't know which one is first, but I think these four countries will definitely purchase it," predicting that Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and the UAE will definitely make purchases.