S. Korea's Hanwha Unveils Unmanned K9A3 Howitzer with Extended Range, A Strong Contender for India's High-Altitude Region

Hanwha Aerospace has unveiled the K9A3, an unmanned version of its renowned K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer, at the KADEX 2024 exhibition. This advanced artillery system boasts a significant range increase and enhanced capabilities, making it a potentially attractive option for India, particularly for deployment in its high-altitude regions.

The K9A3, developed under the Ultra Long Range Cannon System Extended Range Program, features a 155mm, 58-caliber barrel, enabling it to strike targets over 80 kilometers away.

This marks a substantial improvement over previous models and puts it in league with the American M1299 Iron Thunder. This extended range is particularly crucial for militaries operating in mountainous terrain, such as the Himalayas, where long-range precision fire is essential.

Designed for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) missions, the K9A3 can be operated remotely, minimizing human risk on the battlefield. A single control vehicle can manage up to three howitzers simultaneously, enhancing operational efficiency. The platform is optimized for various specialized munitions and shell charges, ensuring versatility in diverse combat scenarios.

This development builds upon the success of the K9 Thunder, which has been adopted by numerous countries, including India. The Indian Army currently operates the K9 Vajra, a variant of the K9 manufactured by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under a technology transfer agreement with Hanwha Defence.

With India aiming to procure additional howitzers for high-altitude operations, the K9A3's extended range and unmanned capabilities could make it a compelling choice.

Hanwha Defence is reportedly seeking to further strengthen its partnership with India and explore opportunities for the supply of 100 additional K9 units. The K9A3's potential to enhance India's artillery capabilities, especially in challenging high-altitude environments, could be a key factor in future defence collaborations between the two nations.

The K9A3 represents a significant advancement in self-propelled artillery, combining extended range, automation, and unmanned technology. As Hanwha Aerospace continues to evolve the K9 platform, the K9A3 is poised to be a major player in the global artillery systems market.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

sure go for it. But dont buy these in large numbers. These extended range ones can be used for precision long range strikes to take out enem artillery in artillery duels. For regular artillery bombardment, the regular (cheap) one is enough.

 

[sanket]

why to import who were the copy paster of earlier version a Pvt plyers , why dont they develop with similar Range with its Experience Gain from Assembling. This was not expected From L & T , Pvt players are only Good in Assembling & Not in Inhouse Design Development even after having done project, What did pvt players Learn From Copy Pasting .......................????

IIT Madras Along with IIT Kanpur ,Armament Research & development Establishment(ARDE) & Reseach centre imarat (RCI) were working on redesigning an existing 155 mm shell using ramjet propulsion that can cover 60 kM plus Range it will b compatible with K9 Vajra -T

 

[coke]

U definitely can assemble them but u will not get ip rights so cannot export or make change , so better develop indigenous one n induct it n improve it over time

 

[The Presence]

We can upgun the barrel in-house (if Hanwa permits).

L&T 🤝 Bharat Forge

 

[Satya Dev]

Incredible - but is it possible to double the range by just increasing the barrel caliber from 52 to 58? Also, why can't we import these 100 k9 SPHs directly from Hanwa- SKorea - it would cost only Rs 25-30 crores per unit i/o assembling ckd kits using local fasteners in the screw driver assembly plant of LT-Gujarat, who will charge a hefty Rs 45-50 crores per unit?

 

[NSR]

Just stick to present K9 Vajra and order more than reported 100.
Perhaps ordering more will beget India more technology to manufacture its own K9 Vajra type tanks/Howitzers in the future.

Indian Army needs to bulk up in artillery procurement quickly to take care of two bitter enemies.

 

[desigandu]

Only atmanirbharta - let us upgrade ourselves…

 

[Sparkle Studio]

No need to purchase upgraded version of K9 howitzers, DRDO & Kalyani can come up with our own version of this upgrade.

 

[Jay K Sinhal]

Outsource it to Baba Kalyani, Bharat Forge, they will even make 62 caliber.

 

[Anant]

Only atmanirbharta - let us upgrade ourselves…

Sir, that upgrade would essentially entail rebuilding the entire gun and sensor suit of the K9. That isn't too practical. In all honesty, one could simply put a 155mm gun turret on the FMBT chassis and call it a day instead.

 

[kumar]

Million dollar question is, how much weight this would add compared to previous version and would IA agree for this increased weight.

 

[NSR]

Sir, that upgrade would essentially entail rebuilding the entire gun and sensor suit of the K9. That isn't too practical. In all honesty, one could simply put a 155mm gun turret on the FMBT chassis and call it a day instead.

Not to mention different class of ammunition stream to be maintained...