At the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2025 exposition in Washington D.C., South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace unveiled its new K9 MH (Mobile Howitzer), a wheeled variant of its widely exported K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. The debut comes as the U.S. Army reassesses its artillery doctrine and platforms in light of lessons from Ukraine and evolving Indo-Pacific operational needs.
K9 MH: A Wheeled Evolution of a Proven Platform
The K9 MH is a new wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) based on the combat-proven tracked K9 Thunder system. According to Hanwha officials at AUSA 2025 and supporting press materials, the K9 MH retains the same 155 mm/52-caliber gun system as the tracked variant but integrates it onto an 8×8 wheeled chassis to enhance strategic mobility and reduce lifecycle costs.
Key specifications include:
- Caliber: NATO-standard 155 mm/52
- Maximum range (with base bleed): ~40 km
- Chassis: Custom-developed armored 8×8 platform
- Engine: Diesel powerpack with automatic transmission
- Crew: Likely reduced from traditional five-person crew via automation
The K9 MH is designed to offer rapid shoot-and-scoot capability with improved road mobility over tracked systems. It also aims to reduce maintenance burdens and procurement costs—critical factors for export customers or militaries operating across large distances with limited rail infrastructure.
U.S. Army Context: Artillery Mobility Under Review
The unveiling of the K9 MH comes at a pivotal moment for U.S. ground forces. The U.S. Army has been reassessing its artillery force structure following operational insights from Ukraine and growing concerns over peer threats in Europe and Asia. While tracked systems like the M109A7 Paladin remain central to current formations, there is growing interest in more mobile and logistically efficient alternatives.
In particular:
- The Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program has faced delays and cost overruns.
- The service is exploring mobile fires platforms under initiatives like the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program.
- Wheeled SPHs are being evaluated for National Guard units or rapid deployment forces where strategic mobility is paramount.
A senior defense official speaking at AUSA noted that “mobility across long distances without reliance on heavy transport assets” is becoming a key requirement—especially for Indo-Pacific scenarios where airlift and sealift constraints are acute.
Tracked vs Wheeled Artillery Debate Rekindled
The introduction of the K9 MH adds fresh momentum to an ongoing debate over tracked versus wheeled self-propelled artillery systems. Tracked SPHs like the M109 or original K9 offer superior off-road performance and protection but come with higher maintenance demands and lower road speeds. Wheeled variants—such as France’s CAESAR or Sweden’s Archer—have gained popularity among NATO allies for their deployability and cost-effectiveness.
Hanwha’s approach appears to blend both philosophies by leveraging proven fire control systems from the K9 while offering a more agile platform suited for dispersed operations—a trend increasingly emphasized in NATO doctrine post-Ukraine war experiences.
Comparative systems include:
- Nexter CAESAR: Deployed by France; combat-tested; mounted on a Renault Sherpa truck chassis.
- KMW RCH-155: German wheeled SPH based on Boxer chassis; features remote turret operation.
- Bofors Archer: Swedish/Norwegian system using Volvo truck chassis; high automation level.
- Zuzana 2: Slovakian design; fully automated loading; NATO interoperable.
Korean Industrial Strategy Targets U.S. Market
The debut of the K9 MH at AUSA underscores Hanwha’s broader ambition to penetrate Western defense markets—particularly the United States—through localization strategies and industrial partnerships. The company already has a significant footprint in Australia through LAND 8116 Phase 1 (K9 Huntsman) production in Geelong, Victoria, under Hanwha Defense Australia.
In the U.S., Hanwha has partnered with American firms such as Oshkosh Defense and Leonardo DRS on various programs. At AUSA, company officials hinted at potential co-production or assembly options should interest materialize within U.S. procurement channels—particularly for National Guard or allied foreign military sales (FMS).
This aligns with broader trends where foreign OEMs establish domestic production lines to meet Buy American Act requirements while accelerating delivery timelines amid global supply chain constraints.
A Modular Future? Potential Variants & Upgrades
The modular nature of Hanwha’s artillery family opens possibilities beyond just a basic wheeled SPH offering. Future variants could include integrated counter-battery radar modules, C4ISR enhancements via plug-in BMS terminals, or even loitering munition launchers fitted alongside main armament modules—a concept being explored by several European manufacturers post-Nagorno-Karabakh conflict lessons learned.
If adopted by any NATO member—including potentially Poland or Romania—the system would likely undergo STANAG-based interoperability upgrades including Link-16 datalink integration for joint fires coordination across domains.
Outlook: Competitive But Timely Entry into Crowded Field
The global market for wheeled self-propelled howitzers is expanding rapidly due to their lower cost-per-shot metrics compared to rocket artillery and improved survivability over traditional towed pieces under drone-saturated battlefields. However, competition remains fierce—with multiple NATO-standard platforms already fielded or under contract across Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.
If Hanwha can secure even limited trials or National Guard interest within CONUS units—or support FMS cases via allied partners—it could position the K9 MH as a credible alternative to legacy M109s or niche solutions like HIMARS-lite concepts currently under study by DARPA-affiliated labs focused on distributed fires networks.
