LAND 8116 Protected Mobile Fires
Prime Minister Scott Morrison used the 2019 federal election to recommit the Commonwealth government to the acquisition of a locally-built and sustained self-propelled howitzer (SPH) artillery system for the Australian Army.
The following additional funding will be provided to the Department of Defence for acquisition:
- $7 million in 2020-21;
- $7 million in 2021-22;
- $100 million in 2022-23;
- $950 million between 2023-24 and 2027-28; and
- An additional $400 million will be provided to the Department of Defence between 2024-25 and 2029-30 for sustainment.
This project will deliver 30 self-propelled howitzer artillery systems to complement Army’s existing M777 towed artillery capability, as well as supporting systems.
Assembly and integration of the platforms will be undertaken in a new facility to be constructed in Geelong, creating up to 350 Australian jobs.
The program will draw on an Australian supply chain, supporting the production and then ongoing maintenance of this important land capability.
Currently, South Korean giant Hanwha has committed to the LAND 8116 Protected Mobile Fires program offering an evolved variant of the K9 SPH currently serving with the Republic of Korea Army.