AS9 Huntsman Self-Propelled Howitzer

AS9 Huntsman Self-Propelled Howitzer

Announced in 2019 as part of the AU$900 million–AU$1.3 billion LAND 8116 Phase 1 project, Australia will acquire a fleet of 42 AS9 Huntsman vehicles and AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles to be built at Hanwha Defense Australia's state-of-the-art facility currently under construction in Geelong.

The Hanwha AS9 Huntsman is a bespoke design developed specifically for Australia based on Hanwha's K9 howitzer currently in service with South Korea, India, Norway, Poland, Finland, Turkey, and Estonia.

The Huntsman will be built with a 52-caliber 155mm gun system, in service with multiple nations and compatible with all standard NATO 155mm munitions.

The AS9 has a maximum range of fire of 30 kilometres with standard high explosive shell and 40 kilometres with rocket-assisted shell, with a maximum rate of fire of six rounds per minute.

The AS10 armoured automatic resupply vehicle is an Australianised variant of the South Korean K10 ammunition resupply vehicle. This vehicle was designed to support the AS9 howitzers, using the same tracked chassis as the howitzer and leverages a fully automated reloading process that can be performed without exposing the crew under enemy fire or in the contaminated areas.

Several Australia-based companies have been tasked with supporting Hanwha's project, including Kongsberg Defence Australia, elmTek, Penske Australia, HIFraser, CBG Systems, TAE Aerospace, Bisalloy Steels, Thales Australia, Sigma Bravo (a KBR company), and Elphinstone.

LATEST COVERAGE

First live-fire test of AH-64E Apache helicopters proves successful
The Australian Army has successfully completed live-fire training using the AH-64E Apache helicopters.
July 20 2026
NZDF celebrates first Harpoon missile launch from P-8A Poseidon aircraft
The New Zealand Defence Force has announced its first Harpoon missile launch from a P-8A Poseidon aircraft during Exercise Valiant Shield.
July 02 2026
Royal New Zealand Air Force deploys P-8A Poseidon aircraft for submarine-hunting exercise
Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft have recently been deployed on submarine-hunting operations in the Pacific.
July 01 2026
100th Boxer mechanised infantry vehicle delivered to UK Ministry of Defence
Team Boxer UK has announced the delivery of the 100th Boxer mechanised infantry vehicle to the UK Ministry of Defence.
June 26 2026
Australian Army gunners fire AS9 Huntsman after 6-week training course in Victoria
Royal Australian Artillery gunners have fired the new domestically produced Australian-made AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer at the conclusion of a six-week course in...
June 04 2026
Royal Australian Air Force takes delivery of final P-8A Poseidon aircraft
The Royal Australian Air Force has taken delivery of its 14th and final P‑8A Poseidon aircraft, marking a significant milestone in strengthening Australia’s ability to...
May 27 2026
UK first Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft arrives ahead of service with Royal Air Force
The United Kingdom’s first Boeing E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning Mk1 aircraft has arrived at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland before beginning service with the Royal Air...
May 22 2026
South Korea requests 24 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters in possible US$3bn FMS
South Korea could acquire two dozen MH-60R multi-mission helicopters and equipment under a possible US$3 billion foreign military sale approved by the US Department of...
May 21 2026
South Korea, India approved for Apache helicopter upgrades, sustainment under possible US FMS
The US Department of State has approved two possible US foreign military sales for AH-64E Apache sustainment and upgrades to India and South Korea.
May 21 2026
Australia to retask E-7 Wedgetail aircraft to support multinational operations in Strait of Hormuz
Australia has announced it will retask a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft to support freedom of navigation through the...
May 13 2026