iscover
The Australian-made AS9 Huntsman artillery has made its battlefield debut after being deployed for the 1st (Australian) Division’s Exercise Pozieres Run at Townsville Field Training Area earlier this month.
Crews from the Australian Army 3rd Brigade tested the warfighting capability of the self-propelled howitzer in a series of realistic integrated activities.
Commanding Officer 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery Lieutenant Colonel Simon Frewin said it was a game changer for the regiment and as a single fighting vehicle, as opposed to a towed gun, gave commanders more combat options.
“It’s an incredible piece of equipment. It’s loud, faster in and out of action, and can range a long way and has taken a huge leap in the capabilities for this brigade,” he said.
“It comes out of a hide to a firing position in seconds, fires off rounds faster than the M777 and moves very quickly back into a hide, and that means if an enemy does identify us, they are unable to respond in time before the AS9 has already moved to a new position.”
The Australian Army AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and the AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles had previously been introduced into service under the Australian Army’s first Protected Mobile Fires Battery at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, on 31 July.
That march past parade was attended by AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer and AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle crews and dignitaries.
“Today is an important day in the history of this regiment. It is also an important day for the 3rd Brigade, the 1st Australian Division, and our Army. This parade formally welcomes the introduction into service of the first Protected Mobile Fires Battery to Army. It marks the arrival of one of the most significant advances in Army’s artillery capability in generations,” said Major General Ash Collingburn, commander of the 1st Australian Division, speaking at the parade on 31 July.
“First, I want to congratulate all of the warriors on parade today. It was an excellent turnout, combat-oriented and a spectacle befitting such an important occasion for this regiment. The standard observed this morning reflects your discipline, pride and professionalism.
“The platforms on parade today are impressive. They represent Army’s modernisation, a major investment in fires and years of effort across Defence, Army, industry and government. But today is not simply about new equipment. It is about warfighting advantage. It is about making our soldiers more lethal, more mobile and more survivable on the battlefield.”
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Defence Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Defence Connect as a preferred news source.