Tasmania benefits from A$1 billion Huntsman howitzer contract
The Huntsman howitzer is based on Hanwha Defense's K9, as pictured above in a Huntsman promotional video. (Photo: Hanwha Defense)
Elphinstone is expanding to meet the demands of a A$1 billion contract with the Australian MoD to manufacture Huntsman howitzers.
The Australian MoD has announced that 55 new jobs are being created in Tasmania as a result of the A$1 billion contract signed with Hanwha Defense Australia for Huntsman howitzers.
Tasmania-based Elphinstone will manufacture 45 Huntsman turrets and hulls, completing the steel fabrication, machining and painting of the components before shipping them to Geelong for the construction of the howitzers.
The contract signed with Hanwha Defense Australia, a subsidiary of Korea-based Hanwha Defense, in December 2021, represents not only the largest military acquisition between Korea and Australia but also the latter’s largest-ever military acquisition from Asia.
The acquisition comes after Australia cancelled a previous plan to adopt the K9, of which the Huntsman is a variant, in 2012.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, renderings released by Hanwha indicate the Huntsman will be fitted with add-on armour on the hull front and sides.
A remote weapons station manufactured by EOS and armed with a 12.7mm M2QCB heavy machine gun will be mounted on the roof, as will a separate pintle mount for a 7.62mm GPMG.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Push strengthens for a second JLTV supplier]()
Push strengthens for a second JLTV supplier
A move, launched in May, could lead to a second supplier for the US Marines Corps’ Joint Light Tactical Vehicle requirement. Meanwhile, Wisconsin elected representatives have been pushing for necessary funding to be included in the FY27 budget.
-
![Canada reveals first requirements for future long-range air-to-air missile]()
Canada reveals first requirements for future long-range air-to-air missile
Exclusive: Ottawa says its future NORAD interceptor must be highly stealthy, resistant to jamming and capable of engaging threats at very long range, while leaving the competition open to domestic and international suppliers.
-
![July land forces roundup: UK outlines spending with details unveiled on Eurosatory vehicles]()
July land forces roundup: UK outlines spending with details unveiled on Eurosatory vehicles
Analysis of the long-awaited UK Defence Investment Plan, which was finally released on 30 June, revealed scant investment in platform replacement for the British Army. The bright spot in July, however, was a multibillion-dollar contract awarded for the British Army’s Collective Training System.
