The Australian Ministry of Defence will soon acquire 30 K9 self-propelled howitzers from Hanwha Defence Australia.
The defence ministry said today a Request for Tender (????) will be released to the company to build and maintain 30 self-propelled howitzers and 15 K10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles, and their supporting systems.
“The self-propelled howitzers will be built in the Geelong region, with ongoing deep maintenance conducted in the same Australian facility to support the systems throughout their service life,” said Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds.
The Request for Tender will progress this first phase of the Protected Mobile Fires capability.
Together with the subsequent phases announced in the 2020 Force Structure Plan, it will ensure a long-term future for industry’s involvement in the delivery of this critical capability for the ADF. LAND 8116 Phase 2, announced in the 2020 Force Structure Plan, is anticipated to commence in the late 2020s, delivering additional Protected Mobile Fires capability, and LAND 8116 Phase 3 is anticipated to commence in the mid-2030s, delivering a mid-life upgrade that will provide an opportunity to incorporate emerging technologies.