Hanwha Unveils Next-Gen K9A2 Wheeled Howitzer for US Army’s Modernization Drive
• At AUSA 2025, Hanwha demonstrates a comprehensive array of cutting-edge defense technologies — extending from artillery and armored vehicles to modular charge systems and counter-UAS capabilities
• Hanwha emphasizes the prospective development pathway of the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, unveiling the K9A2 auto-loading wheeled howitzer prototype customized for U.S. Army specifications
• Hanwha seeks to localize the 155 mm Modular Charge System (MCS) to enhance U.S. munition supply and production capabilities
OCTOBER 12, 2025 – Hanwha’s defense subsidiaries are presenting next-generation defense innovations tailored to the U.S. Army’s modernization strategies — including a new wheeled self-propelled howitzer and the localization of the 155 mm modular charges — at the AUSA 2025 event in Washington, D.C., scheduled for October 13-15.
The Hanwha Team _ encompassing Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) _ is participating in the annual event organized by the Association of the U.S. Army. The exhibition is anticipated to attract around 44,000 attendees from 92 nations and serves as the premier platform for global defense enterprises to showcase military innovations focused on land operations.
During this year’s presentation, Hanwha Aerospace is displaying a full-scale K9A1 Self-Propelled Howitzer while outlining the future strategy for the K9 artillery system, which has been procured by more than 10 countries worldwide. Notably, the company will introduce for the first time a wheeled K9A2 model, designed to fulfill the U.S. Army’s extended-range and high-mobility artillery needs.
The K9A2 comes equipped with an automated ammunition handling and loading mechanism, boosting its firing rate from six to over nine rounds per minute. As the U.S. Army pursues next-generation artillery systems with improved range, accuracy, mobility, and sustained firing capability, Hanwha Aerospace proposes the 8×8 wheeled K9A2, integrating the K9A2’s advanced auto-loading turret onto a wheeled framework to provide enhanced adaptability and maneuverability on future battlefields.
Maro Kim, Head of Strategy at Hanwha Defense USA, stated: “The K9 howitzer is currently operated by more than 10 countries and ranks as the world’s most trusted tracked artillery system. By positioning the K9A2’s automated turret on an 8×8 wheeled base, we can fulfill the U.S. Army’s requirements for long-range precise firepower, quick deployment, and sustained resupply operations.”
Hanwha Aerospace is also concentrating on initiatives to localize the manufacturing of the 155 mm Modular Charge System (MCS) within the United States. Produced in a world-class intelligent factory setup, the MCS guarantees high uniformity, precision, and safety through automated manufacturing processes. This system boasts excellent compatibility with NATO-standard 155 mm artillery, ensuring precise control of chamber pressure and range, which guarantees remarkable performance and reliability.
In light of the conflict in Ukraine, the global scarcity of 155 mm artillery rounds has emerged as a critical concern. Hanwha aims to bolster the supply chain resilience of the U.S. Army and its allies by establishing local MCS manufacturing capacity and industrial collaborations in the United States.
Meanwhile, Hanwha Systems is showcasing its short-range AESA radar and multi-layered Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) defense solution, delivering integrated electronic systems optimized for domestic security missions in the U.S. The short-range AESA radar is engineered to identify and monitor low-altitude aerial threats, functioning as a vital sensor to maximize the operational efficiency of Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) systems. It can also be adapted for various platforms, including wheeled armored vehicles, ground surveillance systems, and smaller naval vessels.
The multi-layered C-UAS system is crafted to address the escalating threat posed by drones and unmanned aerial vehicles on contemporary battlefields. By merging detection, classification, and neutralization functionalities, it offers a comprehensive defense architecture to protect vital infrastructures — including potential applications in U.S. border surveillance and facility safeguarding.
Jaeil Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems, remarked: “Through AUSA 2025, Hanwha aims to solidify its status as a global defense enterprise by presenting an integrated suite of next-generation solutions across artillery, munitions, and defense electronics. We will persist in expanding customer-centric solutions and international partnerships to meet the modernization needs of the U.S. Army and enhance the defense capabilities of allied nations.”
