Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) has welcomed the first three Australian-made AS9 HuntsmanSelf-Propelled Howitzers (SPH) made at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Victoria.
Joining the three vehicles (Batch 1 consisting of two AS9s and one AS10, made in South Korea) announced in February last year, these new vehicles represent high technology vehicle manufacturing coming back to the Geelong region.
Thanks to HDA’s supply chain of local and international partners, the vehicles will now go through further testing and training activities as the capability prepares to come into service. HDA is working with soldiers from the Australian Army in the H-ACE training wing, preparing operators and maintainers.
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Download free sample pages More information“Seeing the first Australian made AS9s come off the production line and drive their first laps around our test track is a milestone that we’re all very proud of,” HDA and UK/Europe CEO Mr Ben Hudson said. “This program will see a game changing capability introduced to the Australian Army underpinned by a strategic partner in Hanwha Defence Australia. With the K9 User Community now 11 nations strong, the AS9 variant pushes the boundaries of the platform.”
The Batch 1vehicles have been undertaking driver and maintainer training alongside further testing and verification including firing trials for the past 12 months, ensuring that operators are familiar with the vehicles. New vehicles are being added to this training program as they become available.
The AS9 and AS10 Huntsman have been developed to incorporate learnings and experience from the global fleet of over 2,400 K9s and K10s, the most popular SPH globally.
With the AS9 Huntsman, Hanwha has a proven 52-calibre 155mm gun system that is in service with multiple nations around the world, including the NATO alliance.
The AS10 Huntsman Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (AARV) is highly protected and manoeuvrable, with a unique loading system that reduces risk to soldiers from enemy fire while protecting the long-term health and fitness of soldiers operating the vehicle.
Manufactured with Australian supply chain partners like AME, Aurizn, Axalta, Bisalloy Steel, CBG Systems, Defcon, and DVR, Elphinstone, Eylex, HIFraser, Kongsberg Defence Australia, Maser, MMCLD, Redline Engineering, Rojone, Safran Electronics andDefence Australasia, Stahl Metal, TEi, Thales Australia, and Thomas Warburton working alongside the international supply chain base, Hanwha has made a significant ongoing investment in the Australian market.
“The technology transfer on the LAND 8116 program between South Korea and Australia has been a pilot program in many ways, demonstrating the deepening relationship between the two nations,” Mr Hudson said.
“This experience provides the foundation to succeed on our other Defence vehicle programs.
“Celebrating this milestone with our government, Defence, supply chain partners and our own exceptional team in our purpose-built facility is an honour,” Mr Hudson concluded.
The first Australian-made AS10 is scheduled to come off the H-ACE production line this year.
