U.S. Army Selects South Korean K9 Mobile Cannon

K9 Thunder wheeled 155mm artillery system | Photo: Hanwha Defense

The U.S. Army has selected Hanwha Defense USA to develop prototypes of the K9 Mobile Howitzer for its Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program, which is intended to provide a wheeled replacement for M777 towed artillery in selected formations.

The agreement covers six prototypes, with an option for 12 more, and has an initial value of $100.3 million and a cumulative potential value of $262.9 million, according to a U.S. Army statement.

The K9 Mobile Howitzer is a wheeled 155mm artillery system derived from Hanwha’s K9 Thunder tracked self-propelled howitzer.

The statement said soldiers will conduct operational experiments with the prototypes to assess performance, reliability and supportability under realistic combat conditions. Results will inform decisions on whether the system should enter service.

The K9 family is already used or under contract in several countries, including South Korea, Poland, Norway, Finland, Australia, Egypt, Romania and India, where it has been manufactured under license by Larsen & Toubro. The U.S. selection gives Hanwha an opportunity to compete for future artillery procurement if prototype testing supports fielding.

‘If approved for fielding, MTC will replace M777 towed artillery systems in select formations, significantly increasing their lethality, mobility, reliability, and survivability on the modern, highly transparent battlefield,’ added the statement.

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