Hanwha’s American subsidiary is slated to build several K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers for the US Army at a new facility in Alabama.

South Korean defense giant Hanwha is making inroads into the United States, and its American subsidiary was awarded its first United States military contract this week. Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) will produce six prototype K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers for the United States Army to support the new Mobile Tactical Cannon program.

The contract calls for accelerated delivery of the MTC platforms, with an option for an additional full dozen.

“We’re honored that the US Army has selected Hanwha’s K9 Mobile Howitzer to fulfill its Mobile Tactical Cannon requirement,” said Mike Smith, Hanwha Defense USA’s chief operating officer, in a media release. “The K9MH is the total artillery solution and will be the centerpiece of Army Fires’ transformation into a more modern, more lethal force.”

The K9 Howitzer’s Specifications

• Year Introduced: 1999
• Length: 39 ft 4 in (12 m) overall; 24 ft 5 in (7.44 m) hull
• Weight: 47 tons
• Armor: Bisalloy armor steel (foreign variants only)
• Main Armament: Hyundai WIA CN98 155mm howitzer
• Range: ~11–18.6 mi (18–30 km), base model; upgraded variants extend range to 33.5 mi (54 km)
• Sights: Panoramic scope
• Rate of Fire: 2–3 rounds per minute (sustained fire); 3 rounds/15 sec (burst)
• Crew: 5 (commander, driver, gunner, assistant gunner, loader)

Why Does the US Army Want the K9 Howitzer?

The K9MH has been touted as a “technically superior and rapidly fieldable 155mm artillery system” able to support the US Army’s modernization efforts, including a need for long-range precision fire. Unlike the conventional K9 Thunder, which is built atop a tracked chassis, the K9MH has conventional wheels, allowing it to move more quickly at the cost of some of its ruggedness.

“The US Army’s selection is a testament to our track record of delivering devastating capability at speed, at scale, on cost and onshore,” added Smith. “As the wheeled variant of the K9, the K9MH provides an expansion path towards a tracked capability with designed-in margin for the future fight. And with such a capability, that fight will not be a fair one.”

The K9MH is compatible with all 155mm ordnance employed by the US military, including with its M777 howitzers.

It was nearly two years ago that Hanwha Aerospace began field tests of its K9A2 self-propelled howitzer (SPH), an advanced variant of its widely used K9 Thunder.

More than 2,500 K9 Thunders have been produced in current variants, including localized models—reaching 50% of the global market share for self-propelled artillery. It is currently in service with the militaries of Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Australia, and Romania. Current plans call for the K9A2 SPH to enter service with the South Korean military in 2027. It was also presented at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC. 

That marked the first time that the defense contractor had presented the K9A2 variant at AUSA.

New K9s Will Be Made in the “Heart of Dixie”

As the US military heavily restricts foreign sourcing through laws like the Buy American Act and 10 U.S.C. 4872, major systems such as the K9MH must be built domestically rather than imported. In this case, HDUSA has established a “phase I site” in Opelika, Alabama, to serve as the primary US integration and test facility.

“This award reflects Hanwha’s enduring commitment to the United States and to strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base,” said Hanwha Group chief strategy officer Alex Wong. “We are not simply delivering a system—we are building an American manufacturing enterprise, transferring technology, and creating a lasting foundation for broad industrial collaboration. Hanwha is invested in America for the long term.”

The firm signed a three-year lease on the facility as part of its strategic commitment to invest in the US Army’s artillery system supply chain, and to further enhance the US combat vehicle industrial base. In April, HDUSA announced it would invest more than $2 million to supply the base, with the facility in Opelika expected to create approximately 40 jobs.

“We are proud that these prototype systems will be assembled in Opelika, creating good jobs and strengthening Alabama’s role in supporting America’s national security,” Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair told MadeInAlabama.com. “Hanwha has already demonstrated its confidence in Alabama, and this contract is another important step in building a long-term partnership that will bring additional investment, innovation and opportunity to our state.”

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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