Supply of new self-propelled guns is rising to meet looming demand
The Paladin SPH is operated in its thousands. (Photo: US Army)
There has been a surge in demand for self-propelled guns (SPGs) or self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in recent years, with some of the major beneficiaries being the venerable BAE Systems’ M109 Paladin, Hanwha Aerospace’s K9 Thunder, KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS) France’s CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie (CAESAR), BAE Systems Bofors’ Archer and KNDS Germany’s PzH 2000.
There are more than 13,000 of these five types in service, while twice that number of all types are believed to be in service across the world.
Across NATO and Western European NATO-allied countries, such as Partnership for Peace members, the
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
-
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
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.
-
FIA 2026: MBDA launches low-cost interceptor for short-range air defence
At FIA 2026, MBDA launched its Counter Mass Interceptor (CMI) which the company says is a mass-producible, low-cost effector for fire-and-forget engagements at range and altitude.
-
“Timelines are measured in seconds”: tackling the UAS threat with dispersed defences
Small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) have transformed the battlespace, posing a complex threat across all domains. Militaries now need counter-UAS (CUAS) capabilities that defeat the danger while meeting demands around readiness, manoeuvrability and adaptability, according to Mike Spina, Director, Global Sales and Business Development for Targeting and Sensor Systems (TSS) at L3Harris Technologies.