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
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Europe’s eastern flank moves on air defence radars with wider efforts also underway]()
Europe’s eastern flank moves on air defence radars with wider efforts also underway
Air defence radars have become more important assets in the past year with incursions in NATO countries on Europe’s eastern flank highlighting the need.
-
![Australia’s SM-2 land trial could reshape ADF medium-range air defence plans]()
Australia’s SM-2 land trial could reshape ADF medium-range air defence plans
The first ground launch of the SM-2 could offer Canberra a path to expand its missile defence capability by adapting systems already fielded across the ADF.
-
![New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement]()
New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme Light Mobility Vehicle requirement is designed to replace the British Army’s ageing fleet of Land Rovers with a vehicle with a Gross Vehicular Mass of less than 3,500kg. It could be for as many as 6,000 vehicles.
