Ricardo nets contract from STX Engine for South Korean project
K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. (Photo: Hanwha Defense)
South Korea is seeking to equip the Hanwha K9 self-propelled howitzer with a locally produced engine.
Ricardo has won a contract from South Korean company STX Engine to help develop a clean-sheet engine for the military market that will help enable more exports of the Hanwha K9 self-propelled howitzer.
Ricardo will support STX Engine in designing and developing the new engine ‘achieving the required performance and attributes for the K9 vehicle for future export project.’
Under the contract, STX Engine engineers will embed with Ricardo’s engineering development team to facilitate knowledge transfer and accelerate development.
Ricardo stated that its objective was for the new engine to integrate ‘seamlessly’ with the K9 vehicle for future exports, creating a ‘drop-in’ replacement that will enable South Korean engine production and resolve export license-related barriers.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the K9 is currently fitted with a German 1,000hp MTU MT 881 Ka-500 diesel engine.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Turkey’s latest IFV takes shape as key subsystems revealed]()
Turkey’s latest IFV takes shape as key subsystems revealed
First deliveries of the SARP 100/35 remote-controlled turret (RCT) for Altuğ, developed as a private venture by Aselsan, will be made in 2027.
-
![Raytheon and Diehl Defence sign deal to co-produce Stinger missiles in Europe]()
Raytheon and Diehl Defence sign deal to co-produce Stinger missiles in Europe
An agreement has been signed that will extend Stinger missile system production to Europe with Diehl Defence currently looking at manufacturing locations.
-
![New version of Altay tank to be delivered “soon” with Turkish engine for later iterations]()
New version of Altay tank to be delivered “soon” with Turkish engine for later iterations
The first of the Altay T1 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) will have a South Korean power pack while later Altay T2s will be fitted with the locally made BMC BATU engine.
