Australia inks its largest ever Asian military contract
The Australian Army will receive 30 AS9 155mm SPHs and 15 AS10 ammunition resupply vehicles under a newly minted deal. (Hanwha Defense Australia)
The Australian Army will be receiving its first self-propelled howitzers, which will be assembled domestically.
Australia and South Korea used the occasion of President Moon Jae-in’s arrival in Canberra on 13 December to sign a contract for 30 AS9 Huntsman 155mm SPHs and 15 AS10 ammunition resupply vehicles.
The contract with Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) is worth an estimated A$1 billion ($717 million), representing the largest military acquisition between the two nations. Not only that, but it is Australia’s largest-ever military acquisition from Asia.
The acquisition comes nine years after Australia got cold feet and cancelled a previous plan to adopt the K9.
Australian Minister of Defence Peter Dutton revealed that the contract also includes
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