Hanhwa Defence completes blast testing of AS10 AARV supply vehicle for AS9 self-propelled howitzer.

According to Peter Roberts in AuManufacturing.com.au, Plasan, an Israeli producer of defense vehicle armor, has successfully completed blast tests on the AS10 AARV vehicle, which is being procured for the Australian Army as part of Phase 1 of the LAND 8116 Protected Mobile Fires (PMF) program.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Blast test on an AS10 AARV vehicle. The Plasan protection solution consists of fixed and dismountable components that protect the Huntsman vehicles against a wide range of threats (Picture source: Hanwha Defense Australia)

Plasan's protection solution consists of fixed and removable components designed to safeguard the Huntsman vehicles against various threats. The blast tests were conducted in collaboration with Hanwha Defense Australia and Hanwha Aerospace from the Republic of Korea. The tests specifically focused on the AS9 and AS10 Huntsman family of vehicles. The AS9 is the Australian variant of the South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzer, while the AS10 serves as its Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (AARV).

The positive results from the tests have further advanced the development of the mine blast protection system for the Huntsman vehicles. The enhanced protection elements identified during the tests will be incorporated into the vehicle design as part of the ongoing program, which is moving toward a Detailed Design Review.

During the 2019 federal election campaign, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the coalition's intention to acquire 30 self-propelled howitzers (SPH) for the Australian Army. Three years later, Hanwha Defense Australia is the sole developer of a locally-built variant of Hanwha’s 155mm/52 caliber K9 Thunder SPH. This variant, designated AS9 Huntsman, is a weapons system comprising the AS9 SPH and the AS10 armored ammunition resupply vehicle (AARV).

As part of the Land 8116 Phase 1 program, the Australian government aims to procure 30 AS9s and 15 AS10s for delivery between 2025 and 2027. In July 2020, plans were announced to acquire more units later in the decade, with the ultimate goal of equipping two regiments. The Protected Mobile Fires system, consisting of the AS9 Huntsman and AS10 AARV, will serve as the primary 155mm artillery system for the Australian Army in the future. When lighter and air-mobile forces are required, it will be supported by the existing towed BAE Systems M777A2 howitzers.

Hanwha Defense Australia will manufacture 30 AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and 15 AS10 AARVs (Picture source: Hanwha Defense Australia)

Defense News May 2023