Hanwha sets sights on Army’s tracked howitzer program after victory in wheeled competition

What is Hanwha proposing for the Army’s tracked howitzer competition?

Hanwha Defense USA plans to compete for the Army’s tracked self-propelled howitzer program. It is considering two options: the K9A1 and the newer K9A2. The move follows the Army’s request for information on tracked howitzers and a matching resupply vehicle. The competition matters because the tracked system is intended for armored formations and will help replace older artillery equipment.

The K9A1 is widely available and described by Hanwha as the most cost-effective choice. The K9A2 offers newer features, including a fully automated turret, two independent loading arms, and a new autoloader. Hanwha says its existing sales of both variants to other land forces could support a shorter production timeline.

The Army has not selected a tracked vehicle. Its RFI asks vendors about lead times, maximum production capacity, and plans to move production into the United States when needed. Hanwha says its vehicles are tailorable, allowing small changes to meet formal Army requirements.

What are the K9A1 and K9A2, and how do their capabilities differ?

The K9A1 and K9A2 are two tracked howitzer variants that Hanwha may offer the Army. Both are self-propelled artillery vehicles, meaning the gun travels on its own vehicle rather than being towed separately. The choice matters because the Army wants tracked artillery suited to armored formations.

The K9A1 uses a 155mm, 52-caliber cannon with a range of more than 40 kilometers. It can fire six to eight rounds per minute for three minutes at full capacity. The K9A2 has the same drive power, but adds a fully automated turret, two independent loading arms, and a new autoloader. Those systems raise its stated firing rate to nine or 10 rounds per minute and reduce crew needs.

Hanwha describes the K9A1 as widely available and most cost-effective. The K9A2 is newer and offers more modern capabilities. The Army will determine which balance of price, availability, automation, and requirements best fits its tracked force.

How much firepower can these howitzers deliver, and how quickly can they fire?

These howitzers combine long-range artillery with rapid repeated firing. The K9A1 carries a 155mm, 52-caliber cannon and can reach beyond 40 kilometers, according to Hanwha’s website. At full capacity, it can fire six to eight rounds per minute for three minutes.

The K9A2 is designed to deliver fire faster. Its fully automated turret can fire nine to 10 rounds per minute. Two independent loading arms handle projectiles and propellants, while a new autoloader system supports the higher rate and reduces the crew needed. These mechanisms make the K9A2 more automated than the K9A1.

The article does not provide a separate range figure for the K9A2. It does establish that the K9A1’s performance combines a range exceeding 40 kilometers with a sustained short burst of six to eight rounds per minute. The Army must weigh these stated capabilities against cost, availability, and its formal requirements.

Why is the Army pursuing separate wheeled and tracked howitzers instead of choosing one vehicle type?

The Army is pursuing separate wheeled and tracked howitzers because each vehicle type addresses different operational requirements and formations. The wheeled variant is intended for formations that currently use towed artillery. The tracked variant is intended for employment with armored formations. This approach matches the vehicle to the unit and terrain rather than forcing one design to serve every role.

Wheeled vehicles are traditionally lighter and better suited to driving on roads. The Army’s spokesperson said the wheeled system should provide more mobility, survivability, and responsiveness for formations with towed artillery. Tracked vehicles generally use heavier chassis and can maneuver more easily through muddy or rough conditions.

The split also gives the Army two modernization paths. Wheeled systems can support formations needing quicker movement and responsiveness, while tracked systems can operate alongside armored forces. The Army’s RFI separately seeks the tracked howitzer and a resupply vehicle, showing that this competition addresses a distinct requirement.

What will these new howitzers replace, and how could replacing them change the Army’s artillery capabilities?

The Army intends its new wheeled and tracked howitzers to replace two existing systems: the towed M777 and the self-propelled M109A7. The M109A7’s design lineage was originally fielded in the 1960s. Replacing both systems matters because the Army is matching newer vehicles to different formations and operational needs.

The replacement could improve artillery responsiveness and mobility. The Army describes the wheeled variant as offering more mobility, survivability, and responsiveness for formations using towed artillery. The tracked option is better suited to armored formations and can maneuver more effectively in muddy or rough conditions than traditional wheeled vehicles.

Hanwha’s candidate systems also bring modern firing features. The K9A1 offers a 155mm cannon with a range over 40 kilometers, while the K9A2 adds automated loading and a firing rate of nine to 10 rounds per minute. The exact Army-wide effect depends on the vehicles selected and final requirements.

How large is the Army’s initial wheeled-howitzer purchase, and what does the tracked competition still need to determine?

The Army’s initial wheeled-howitzer purchase is a $233 million award to Hanwha for six accelerated-delivery prototypes. The contract includes an option for 12 additional vehicles. These figures describe the wheeled program, not a completed purchase of tracked howitzers. The tracked effort remains at the information-gathering and competition stage.

For the tracked program, the Army’s request for information asks vendors for several practical details. These include potential production lead times, maximum production capability, and strategies for bringing production into the United States when facilities are abroad. The Army is also seeking a coinciding resupply vehicle, so the competition covers more than the gun vehicle alone.

Hanwha says it already sells several variants of both vehicles to other land forces. That existing production could shorten delivery time, although the company did not provide a schedule. The Army still must evaluate K9A1 and K9A2 options, compare vendors, and decide which tracked solution meets its formal requirements.

What is a self-propelled howitzer, and why are artillery units important to armored and other ground formations?

A self-propelled howitzer is an artillery weapon mounted on a vehicle with its own engine and mobility. Unlike a towed howitzer, it does not need a separate vehicle to move the gun between firing positions. The article describes wheeled and tracked self-propelled variants, showing how the Army is linking artillery mobility to different formations.

Artillery units matter because they provide powerful, long-range fires for ground forces. In this article, the K9A1’s 155mm cannon can reach more than 40 kilometers, and the K9A2 can fire nine to 10 rounds per minute. A vehicle-mounted gun can also move with the formation it supports. Wheeled systems favor roads, while tracked systems handle muddy or rough terrain better.

The Army’s spokesperson says wheeled systems are intended for formations with towed artillery, while tracked systems suit armored formations. The article does not detail every artillery mission, but it clearly links these systems to mobility, survivability, responsiveness, and employment with ground formations.

Key Facts:

📌 Hanwha is considering the K9A1 and K9A2 for the tracked competition.

📌 The Army also seeks a coinciding tracked resupply vehicle.

📌 Hanwha says its vehicles can be tailored to Army requirements.

📌 The K9A1 has a 155mm, 52-caliber cannon.

📌 The K9A2 has a fully automated turret.

📌 The K9A2 uses two independent loading arms.

📌 The K9A1 can fire six to eight rounds per minute.