Hanwha Defence has delivered the first trio of AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers built in Australia, rolling them out at its Geelong-based Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence as part of the LAND 8116 program. Under this initiative, Australia’s Department of Defence plans to procure 30 locally manufactured 155mm mobile artillery systems and 15 ammunition resupply vehicles. The new howitzers complement an initial group of three units—two AS9s and one AS10—manufactured in South Korea and supplied in 2025. Before entering operational service, the vehicles will complete further validation and firing trials and will also form part of a training fleet for Australian Army personnel.
Australia’s AS9 Huntsman is a localized adaptation of the South Korean K9 Thunder, a widely exported artillery platform with more than 2,400 systems deployed globally. The accompanying AS10 resupply vehicle, modeled on the K10, incorporates an automated loading mechanism to enhance safety and efficiency. Equipped with a 1,000-horsepower MTU MT 881 Ka500 engine, the Huntsman achieves speeds above 60 km/h and carries a 52-caliber main gun, along with provisions for machine guns and grenade launchers. Production of the first Australian-built AS10 is scheduled for later this year, with the complete LAND 8116 order expected to be finalized by 2027.
