Hanwha initiates production of Australia's first huntsman Howitzers.

On March 29, 2024, Hanwha Aerospace announced the official start of assembly for Australia's first AS9 self-propelled howitzer, dubbed the Huntsman, along with the AS10 armored ammunition resupply vehicle at its facility in Changwon, South Korea. The "mate" process, which involves the assembly of major components to form the complete combat vehicle, commenced on March 28 at Hanwha Aerospace's Plant 3, according to a company statement.
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The initial production of 2 AS9s and 1 AS10 at the Changwon facility will lead to further manufacturing at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Center of Excellence (H-ACE) in Geelong, Victoria (Picture source: Commonwealth of Australia)

A ceremony on the production line marked the beginning of production, attended by key figures such as production managers and engineers from Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA), as well as representatives from the Australian Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG). The AS9 and AS10, based on the Australian variant of the K9 Thunder, are advanced additions to the ADF (Australian Defence Force) arsenal, featuring enhanced armored protection and firing capabilities, positioning them among the most modern artillery systems globally. Under the phase 1 contract of the Land 8116 project signed in 2021, the ADF plans to deploy 30 'Huntsman' AS9 self-propelled howitzers and 15 AS10 armored ammunition resupply vehicles. The start of production is a crucial step towards fulfilling this contract and enhancing Australia's defense capabilities.

The initial production of 2 AS9s and 1 AS10 at the Changwon facility will lead to further manufacturing at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Center of Excellence (H-ACE) in Geelong, Victoria. This strategic move aims not only to meet the ADF's operational needs but also to stimulate economic and industrial growth in the region. Following the initial production in Changwon, all other vehicles will be produced at H-ACE in Geelong starting from late 2024, as per Hanwha.

The Australian Army signed a contract worth AUD 1 billion (USD 652 million) in 2021 with Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) to supply 30 AS9 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and 15 AS10 AARVs as part of its Land 8116 Phase 1 program.

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has scheduled range and accuracy trials of the Huntsman vehicles for 2024 at the Yuma Proving Ground, with vehicle delivery to the Australian Army to begin in 2025 and final delivery expected in 2027. The self-propelled howitzers will replace the M777 howitzers currently in service with the Australian Army's 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery.

Hanwha has collaborated with various companies to manufacture the Huntsman vehicles for the Australian Army. In February 2023, HDA and Sydney-based HIFraser signed a contract worth AUD 4.4 million to provide the Automatic Fire and Explosion Suppression System (AFESS) for the Huntsman vehicles.

HIFraser also signed a technology transfer agreement with Busan-based DNB, enabling the former to produce AFESS in Australia. The government has announced that Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) was chosen to build 30 self-propelled howitzers for the ADF under a sole source smart buyer decision.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds stated this marks a key milestone in advancing the project, emphasizing that acquiring this capability will provide the ADF with the mobility, lethality, and protection needed to support Joint Force operations in the land domain.

The self-propelled howitzers will be built in the Geelong region, with ongoing deep maintenance conducted in the same Australian facility to support the systems throughout their service life.

In 2021, Australia announced the acquisition of the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer as part of its LAND 8116 Phase 1 project, aiming to significantly upgrade its artillery capabilities. Manufactured by Hanwha Defense of South Korea, the K9 Thunder was chosen for its superior firepower, mobility, and survivability, designed to meet the demanding requirements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). With a 155mm 52-caliber gun, the K9 Thunder can deliver precision strikes over distances up to 40 kilometers, or further with rocket-assisted projectiles. The first units are expected to be operational by 2025, enhancing Australia's ability to conduct sustained land combat operations. 

 A practice round is test-fired from an AS9 Huntsman, a self-propelled howitzer based on the Australian variant of the K9 Thunder,  in Port Wakefield (Picture source: Hanwha Aerospace)

Defense News April 2024