Hanwha Wins Additional ROK Order for K55A1s
Hanwha Defense have announced an additional order for their K55A1 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) by the Army of the Republic of Korea. In a deal with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) worth a reported 137.4 billion KRW (118 million USD), an undisclosed number of K55A1s will be delivered by late 2022. This is believed to be the fifth and final order of SPHs for the ROK Army.
The K55 and K55A1 platforms are based on the M109A2 Paladin with improvements from the Hanwha K9 Thunder integrated. The K55 first entered service in 1985, with the modernised K55A1 first being deployed in 1994. The K9 Thunder is also in service and will eventually replace the K55/K55A1 series. The K9 is in service with a number of nations including Estonia, Finland and India.
As recently reported by Overt Defense, the Norwegian Army took delivery of its first K9 late last year as part of an order for 24 SPHs and 6 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles. The armoured K10 allows fully automated reloading of the K9, allowing the SPH to be reloaded in combat without risking personnel.
The K9 is also in the process of being acquired by the Australian Army under their AND 8116 Protected Mobile Fires (formerly LAND 17 Phase 1C) requirement to supplement the legacy towed 155mm M777. Australia are expected to procure 30 K9 SPHs (to be known as the Huntsman – after the Australian spider) and 15 K10s.
Hanwha Defense Australia are also still in the running for the LAND 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capability program to supply the Australian Army with up to 450 new infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). Hanwha, with their AS21 Redback (based on their K21 IFV in service with ROK) contender, will be involved with an Australian industry capability roadshow alongside Rheinmetall with the KF41 Lynx during March and April this year. The roadshow seeks to identify opportunities for local industry to engage with the manufacturers.