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Australia Officially Receives Its First AS9 Huntsman Vehicles from South Korea.
Hanwha Aerospace, based in South Korea, has delivered the first batch of Huntsman family vehicles to Australia, as confirmed by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) in Canberra on January 31. According to a spokesperson from the DoD, two 155mm/52 caliber AS9 self-propelled howitzers (SPH) and one AS10 armored ammunition resupply vehicle (AARV) were sent to Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA), the Australian subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, at the end of 2024.
The AS9 Huntsman is a self-propelled howitzer developed from the South Korean K9 Thunder platform. (Picture source: Australian DoD)
These vehicles, collectively known as the Huntsman family, were delivered under a contract won by HDA with the Australian Department of Defence in 2021. The agreement includes the delivery of 30 AS9s and 15 AS10s for the Australian Army under the Land 8116 Phase 1 program, also known as the Protected Mobile Fires project.
The contract, valued at AUD 1 billion (USD 622 million), involves the initial construction of two AS9s and the first AS10s at Hanwha Aerospace’s Changwon facility in South Korea, with the remaining vehicles to be assembled at a new HDA facility in Australia.
The AS9 Huntsman is a self-propelled howitzer developed from the South Korean K9 Thunder platform, designed to offer enhanced firepower and mobility. It is equipped with a 155mm/52 caliber main gun capable of firing standard ammunition up to 40 kilometers, with specialized munitions allowing for a range of up to 60 kilometers. This vehicle benefits from a Kongsberg fire control system, enabling seamless integration with other Australian defense systems, and features a semi-automated loading mechanism to optimize firing efficiency.
The AS9 is designed for rapid firing, capable of firing three rounds in 15 seconds and maintaining a rate of six to eight rounds per minute. To ensure enhanced protection, it features an upgraded suspension system and additional armor. Moreover, it has been adapted for hot climates with an integrated air conditioning system. The vehicle measures 12.4 meters in length, 3.5 meters in width, and 3.7 meters in height, weighing less than 52 tons. It can reach a maximum speed of over 60 kilometers per hour and is designed to be operated by a crew of five.
The design of the AS9 allows for multiple pintle-mounted weapons, such as the F89, MAG58, M2HB, and MK47, and includes a Remote Weapon System (RWS) for greater operational flexibility. The accompanying AS10 resupply vehicle, which shares the same tracked chassis as the AS9, is equipped with an automated loading system, reducing the crew’s exposure during ammunition resupply operations.
Although the DoD has not specified the delivery schedule for these vehicles to the Australian Army, it was noted that the evaluation phase of the vehicles is currently underway. "Hanwha Defence Australia is conducting comprehensive testing of the three vehicles," said the DoD spokesperson.
The Huntsman vehicles are intended to enhance the Australian Army’s protected mobile firepower capabilities, offering improved mobility, lethality, and protection for armored vehicles and ground troops. These vehicles are also expected to provide a counter-battery capability, allowing the Australian Army to strike, neutralize, and destroy enemy artillery systems before they can be used against Australian forces or their allies.