Hanwha Defense Explores Partnerships with UK Suppliers for Next-Gen Mobile Fire Solutions

 Hanwha Defense has initiated official talks with partners in the UK to develop a ‘Manufactured in the UK’ variant of its K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer. The K9 is operationally validated and will be presented by Hanwha Defense for the UK’s Mobile Fires Platform program to provide the British Army with a premier artillery capability. 

The K9 is presently utilized by the ROK and military forces worldwide, including in India, Norway, Finland, and Estonia. In September 2020, the Australian Army selected the K9 as its preferred choice for the Protected Mobile Fires platform within the LAND 8116 program, with a final contract anticipated to be signed in early 2022. 

A prominent defense contractor in South Korea, Hanwha Defense aims to replicate the successful industry collaboration model it employed in India and Australia, ensuring that the British Army’s K9s are maximally produced in the UK. The firm is also dedicated to transferring related technologies and expertise to the UK, thus enabling its UK associates to tap into a global market exceeding 600 units.

 Discussions are already active with Lockheed Martin UK, Pearson Engineering, Horstman Defence Systems, and Soucy Defense, along with other partners within the UK defense sector. As an integral part of the MFP initiative, Hanwha Defense will engage across the UK to introduce specialized training and new competencies for the ongoing development, manufacturing, maintenance, and support of the British Army’s advanced K9 version. 

Tests and assessments for the upcoming iteration of K9, named the K9A2, are in progress to enhance the artillery’s pivotal capabilities, including the highest rate of fire and automated ammunition loading features. The K9A2 development is spearheaded by Hanwha Defense in collaboration with the state-sponsored Agency for Defense Development. 

The suggested UK version will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including an unmanned turret, mine protection systems, and composite rubber tracks. Additionally, an automated replenishment capability will be implemented using Hanwha’s robotic K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle.

“Building upon the strengthening bond between the UK and South Korea, we are thrilled to invite the UK to join the K9 global network,” stated Mr. Oh Kyea-hwan, vice president of Hanwha Defense International, who oversees sales and marketing for the UK initiative. “By collaborating with nations across the globe, Hanwha can provide an economical and modular solution. Ultimately, this enhances our collective resilience, allowing for smoother integration when it is most vital.” 

“We eagerly anticipate working with the UK Mobile Fires Platform team to investigate how we can deliver the maximum industrial advantages to the UK,” Mr. Oh remarked. “The K9 is a trailblazer in the self-propelled howitzer domain, and we foresee significant advancements from the fusion of UK industrial capabilities and South Korean innovation.”

An RFP for the MFP is set to be unveiled in 2022. Hanwha Defense will disclose its team for this program at DSEI and other exhibitions leading up to that date.