Australian army fires AS9 Huntsman howitzer for first time
The Australian Army has successfully conducted its first live-fire exercise of the AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzer, a next-generation artillery system based on South Korea’s K9 Thunder platform but customized for Australian battlefield needs.
According to a release from the Australian Department of Defense on December 3, “This was the first time the new AS9 Huntsman Self-Propelled Howitzer had been fired on Australian soil by Australian soldiers.” The live-fire event was carried out by troops from the School of Artillery and the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, at Puckapunyal in Victoria.
The AS9 is being produced by Hanwha Defence Australia, the local subsidiary of South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, which is also supplying 15 AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles as part of the same program. The government has committed to acquiring 30 AS9 units and expects the deliveries and integration to be completed over the next two years.
The AS9 is based on the proven K9 Thunder platform but includes several key upgrades tailored to Australian operational demands and climate. Compared to the original K9, the AS9 offers enhanced mine and ballistic protection, an upgraded crew survivability package, and a modernized communications suite compatible with the Australian Army’s battle management system.
Externally, the AS9 retains the overall layout and the 155 mm L/52 gun system of the K9. However, it has been configured to support higher levels of automation and includes a redesigned cooling system to operate in high-temperature environments. It is also integrated with the AS10 resupply vehicle to ensure extended-fire capability across dispersed and mobile formations.
The AS9’s navigational and fire control systems have also been updated to align with the command and control architecture of the Australian Army.
This development follows Australia’s broader push to modernize its artillery and long-range fires capability.
