Development Prospects for the South Korean K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Artillery
K9 self-propelled gun of the South Korean Army. Photo: Republic of Korea Ministry of Defense
In the late 1990s, the Republic of Korea's military-industrial complex began mass production of the latest K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery systems. Assembly of these self-propelled artillery systems for various customers continues to this day, and they have undergone several major upgrades. Furthermore, new projects are being developed to improve or radically redesign existing self-propelled artillery systems, enhancing their core characteristics or acquiring new capabilities.
Self-propelled gun and its modifications
Development of the future K9 began in the mid-1980s. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) of the South Korean military took the lead in the project, with several defense industry companies also involved. By the mid-1990s, the project had progressed to the construction and testing of prototypes.
Serial production of the latest K9s began in 1998. The following year, the first combat vehicles were delivered to the armed forces. Production of Thunder vehicles continues to this day. Over 27 years, nearly 2 self-propelled guns have been built. The vehicles were supplied to the Russian army and a number of foreign customers. Furthermore, foreign countries acquired licenses to establish their own production.
The basic version of the self-propelled gun, designated K9, remained in production until the early 2010s. This vehicle was supplied to the Korean Army and a number of foreign armed forces. Furthermore, Turkey developed its own self-propelled gun, the T-155 Fırtına, based on the K9, with a different set of components.
K9 for the Polish Army, December 2022. Photo by the Polish Ministry of Defense.
In the 2000s, work began on the K9 Product Improvement Program. The PIP modification was later redesignated K9A1. Based on the project's developments, about a dozen SPG modifications were created for competitions in various countries. Some of them outperformed their competitors and were recommended for adoption.
For a number of reasons, the South Korean army only began purchasing new K9A1s in 2018. At the same time, the process of gradually upgrading existing equipment to "A1" status began. By now, most of the Korean self-propelled artillery I went through such an update.
Next generation
Shortly after the completion of the K9A1 project, the technical specifications for the next upgrade began to be developed. As before, the goal of the new project was to improve the technical and firepower characteristics. This required replacing the electronics again, as well as developing a number of other components.
The K9A2 project was developed by ADD and Hanwha Defense (now Hanwha Aerospace). It was completed in the early 1920s, and a prototype was unveiled and fielded for testing in 2022. The necessary trials are currently underway, demonstrating its capabilities and helping identify design flaws. The modernized self-propelled gun is scheduled to enter series production in 2027.
The upgraded K2A2 self-propelled gun at AUSA-2024. Photo by Hanwha Aerospace.
The A2 self-propelled gun retains its existing chassis, turret, and a number of key components and assemblies. However, key components of the weapon system have been replaced, using updated versions of existing components or new developments.
Thanks to all these innovations, the crew size has been reduced from five to three. Improvements in key technical, combat, and operational characteristics are also claimed. Thanks to an improved chassis and new tracks, the combat weight has been reduced to 47 tons, which should improve performance.
The self-propelled gun retains the CN98 155mm rifled gun manufactured by Hyundai WIA, but it has been modernized. The barrel's service life has been increased by 50%, to 1500 fully loaded rounds. Provision has also been made for improved ballistic performance. The gun uses the same ammunition and does not require any fundamentally new control systems.
A unique automatic loader was developed for the K9A2. It features mechanized racks for 48 rounds of separate (modular) loading and a feeder. This increased the maximum rate of fire to 9 rounds per minute for 3 minutes.
The gun is controlled by a fully-fledged computer, connected to various sensors, communications systems, and other equipment. The self-propelled gun operates with battlefield management systems and receives target information as quickly as possible. Firing preparation is also minimal. Various fire modes are available, including the MRSI mode, standard for modern artillery.
The K9A2 self-propelled gun's fighting compartment: the automatic loader moves the projectile toward the gun. Photo by Hanwha Aerospace
It's worth noting that the K9A2 designation covers another modernized self-propelled gun project. To distinguish them, the additional designations Block I and Block II are sometimes used. The Block II project is still in the preliminary design stage, and construction and testing of the prototype remain an uncertain matter.
The K9A2 Block II project envisions equipping the self-propelled gun with a new 155mm gun with a 58-caliber barrel. This should significantly increase its firing range. However, South Korean industry has not yet completed work on this gun, so the prospects for a self-propelled gun equipped with it remain uncertain.
Minimum crew
In 2021, it was revealed that ADD and Hanwha Defense were exploring the possibility of further modernization of the existing self-propelled gun. Similar to previous projects, the project was designated K9A3. Its main idea is to further enhance the automation of onboard systems. This will reduce the combat crew to one person, and eventually make the self-propelled gun optionally unmanned.
Since its initial announcement, the developers have repeatedly published materials on the K9A3 project, even showing the possible appearance of such a self-propelled gun. It is expected to retain the existing tracked chassis, but this base will need to be modified to accommodate the reduced crew. First and foremost, the driver's compartment, which will accommodate the driver/gunner and their necessary instruments, will be updated.
A model of the future K9A3 self-propelled gun at a recent exhibition. Photo: European Defence Review
An entirely new turret is being developed. It will differ in shape, size, and equipment. As before, it will house an oscillating gun mount and an automatic loader with mechanized stowage. The possibility of using a new 58-caliber gun with improved firepower is being considered. The design parameters of this self-propelled gun have not yet been disclosed.
On a new chassis
All existing K9 Thunder self-propelled gun variants were built on a tracked armored chassis. The new K9A2/3 designs retain this base, albeit with the necessary modifications. Meanwhile, work is underway on another version of the self-propelled gun with a fundamentally new design.
For several years, ADD and other organizations have been exploring the possibility of transferring the Grom's fighting compartment to a wheeled vehicle chassis. Last year, this idea was approved, and in December, the Ministry of Defense placed an order for the development of a full-fledged project, designated K9MH. According to the established schedule, work is scheduled for completion in mid-2027.
To date, ADD and Hanwha Aerospace have presented a number of materials on the new project. In particular, a mockup showcasing the key features of the future self-propelled gun was displayed at exhibitions. Overall, the K9MH differs little from other modern projects of its kind and utilizes standard, proven solutions.
A model of the future K9MH wheeled self-propelled gun. Photo: European Defence Review
The K9MH is proposed to be built on a South Korean-made four-axle truck chassis. This vehicle will feature an armored cabin and several compartments for various equipment behind it. A modified turret from a tracked self-propelled gun is housed in the rear. Hydraulic jacks are provided for stabilization.
According to calculations, the wheeled self-propelled gun will be able to travel on roads at speeds of up to 100 km/h—40 km/h faster than tracked vehicles. Its cruising range will be almost twice as long, at 700 km. It will take no more than 20-25 seconds to prepare for firing after arriving at its target. Its firing performance will remain unchanged. At the same time, the updated turret has a smaller capacity. Because of this, the ammunition load will have to be reduced to 40 rounds. Control will be carried out remotely from the cabin.
Progress and results
The development of the future K9 Thunder self-propelled gun took quite a long time—approximately 15 years passed from the initial research to mass production. However, all the efforts were fully justified. South Korea succeeded in creating a modern and successful self-propelled gun. The K9 helped update its own artillery fleet and also allowed it to enter the international military equipment market.
To date, Korean and foreign companies have built approximately 2 K9 self-propelled guns and their modifications. Development of new variants and versions with specific features and capabilities continues. ADD and Hanwha Aerospace, currently responsible for the development of the K9 line, are counting on their success and continued production.
Information