South Korea approves modernised K9 SPHs and new-build K2 MBTs
The Republic of Korea Army will have its existing K9 and K9A1 SPHs upgraded to K9A2 status under the FY2023 budget allocation. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
Amidst massive Polish orders for K9 SPHs and K2 tanks, South Korea will also modernise and extend its own inventory of these two AFV types.
South Korea continues to invest heavily in armoured vehicles, with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration recently approving funding for a couple of important projects – a K9 SPH upgrade and new K2 MBTs.
Under next year’s budget allocation, more than 1,100 examples of the K9 and K9A1 155mm SPH of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) will be modernised to K9A2 Block I configuration by 2034. Some KRW2.36 trillion ($1.69 billion) has been set aside for this purpose.
With just a three-person crew, the K9A2 features greater levels of automation than preceding variants of the SPH. Specifically, it will have
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer]()
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
![The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating]()
The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating
Drones and military ground vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate together as a single platform or even to convert crewed systems to automated ones.
-
![Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system]()
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
