The tests carried out with the support of Hanwha Defense Australia and Hanwha Aerospace from the Republic of Korea, involved a series of blast tests on the AS9 and AS10 Huntsman family of vehicles.
Plasan of Israel and Hanwha Defense Australia are working together on LAND 8116 to ensure the highest quality survivability systems are delivered to protect the Australian Army.
The Australian Army successfully tested the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer, a modified version of the K9 VIDAR variant. Tailored to Australian needs, the AS9 includes enhanced armor and improved suspension. Derived from South Korea’s K9 Thunder, this milestone is significant for the ongoing development of the Huntsman vehicles.
Australia’s Defense Minister, Linda Reynolds, has requested a tender to locally manufacture 30 K9 self-propelled howitzers under the Land 8116 Phase 1 project. The preferred supplier, Hanwha Defense Australia, will build and maintain the vehicles and supporting systems at its Geelong facility.
The Australian Army will initially receive two AS9s and an AS10 ammunition resupply vehicle, based on the South Korean K9 Thunder.