(LEAD) Hanwha wins U.S. Army contract for K9 artillery prototypes

South Korean defense contractor Hanwha Aerospace Co. announced on August 19 that its U.S. subsidiary, Hanwha Defense USA, has secured a significant contract to deliver six K9 self-propelled howitzer prototypes for the U.S. Army's artillery modernization program. The Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program seeks to replace aging M777 towed howitzers with a more agile 155 mm artillery system. The contract, valued at up to $262.9 million, gives Hanwha Defense USA the option to provide an additional 12 prototypes.

Soldiers will test these platforms in operational trials to evaluate their performance, reliability, and supportability in real combat situations. This marks the K9 system's debut in the world's largest defense market, the United States. Hanwha Aerospace emphasized that the contract represents the first entry of the K9 system into this market and pledged to establish a stable production base as part of its localization strategy in the United States.

In April, Hanwha Defense USA signed a three-year lease for an unused facility in Opelika, Alabama, to bolster its production capabilities in the U.S. The company also plans to invest in the nation's self-propelled howitzer supply chain, aiming to strengthen its position in the combat vehicle market and solidify its role as a long-term partner in the U.S. Army's modernization initiatives.

The contract further solidifies Hanwha's strategy to expand the global reach of the K9 system, which is already deployed or under contract with several NATO countries, including Poland, Romania, Norway, and Finland.