The Australian Army has officially taken delivery of its first batch of South Korean Huntsman vehicles, with local production of the advanced artillery system currently underway.
The Australian Department of Defense (DoD) announced that Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), a subsidiary of South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, has supplied two AS9 155mm/52 caliber tracked self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and one AS10 armored ammunition resupply vehicle (AARV) to the Australian Army.
The vehicles, collectively known as ‘Huntsman,’ were built at Hanwha’s facility in Changwon, South Korea. The DoD also confirmed the start of production at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Avalon, Geelong, near Melbourne.
The facility will manufacture 28 AS9 SPHs and 14 AS10 AARVs over the next three years as part of an AUD1 billion (USD 622 million) contract signed in 2021. Under the agreement, a total of 30 AS9s and 15 AS10s will be produced, with all deliveries to be completed between 2026 and 2027.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the occasion, Australia’s Minister for Defense, Richard Marles, said the Huntsman vehicles would significantly upgrade the Army’s artillery forces.
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The new fleet will replace the aging M777 towed howitzer, which has been in service since the 1990s. Unlike the M777, which requires towing by a separate vehicle, the AS9 is a self-propelled system, allowing for faster deployment and increased battlefield mobility.
The AS9 Huntsman is based on Hanwha’s globally operated K9 self-propelled howitzer platform, which has been adopted by multiple nations, including NATO members.
It features a 52-calibre 155mm gun system capable of high rates of fire and extended-range engagements. The AS10 AARV, designed to resupply ammunition under armored protection, incorporates an advanced loading mechanism that reduces risks to soldiers operating in combat conditions.
Hanwha Defence Australia emphasized the project’s contribution to the Australian defense industry. The company is working with numerous local suppliers, including Elphinstone, Kongsberg Defence Australia, CBG Systems, Penguin Composites, HIFraser, MMCLD, Bisalloy Steel, AME, Safran Electronics and Defence Australasia, Sigma Bravo, Thales Australia, Axalta, and TEi.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen supply chains and reinforce Australia’s sovereign defense capabilities.
South Korea’s Defense Giant Hanwha
South Korea’s Hanwha Group has once again found itself in the spotlight following recent defense deliveries, reinforcing its reputation as a major global player in the defense sector.
In recent years, the South Korea-based company has gained considerable recognition for its success in international arms markets, with many even labeling it as a “Korean-version Lockheed Martin.”
Originally established as a gunpowder manufacturer, Hanwha Corporation has since evolved into a comprehensive defense firm and one of South Korea’s largest industrial conglomerates.
Founded in 1952 during the Korean War, the company laid the foundation for what is now the Hanwha Group, a dominant force in both domestic and international defense industries.
With manufacturing facilities in South Korea, the United States, Germany, Australia, and Vietnam, Hanwha has established itself as a truly global defense manufacturer. In addition to its production sites, the company maintains marketing and sales operations in nations like Canada and Japan.
Hanwha’s ascent as a global defense leader can be attributed to its cutting-edge military equipment and high-capacity production lines, which have allowed the company to meet growing international demand.
Its production capabilities were particularly highlighted following the outbreak of the Ukraine war, which spurred several countries to increase defense spending.
A major breakthrough came in July 2022 when Poland signed a large-scale agreement with South Korea to procure hundreds of K2 main battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and Chunmoo Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS). Of these, the K9 howitzers and Chunmoo MLRS are manufactured by Hanwha subsidiaries.
The deal was considered a major victory for Hanwha and even forced the company to expand its workforce and scale up production. Moreover, the first shipment of K9 howitzers was delivered just months after the contract was signed, demonstrating the company’s ability to rapidly fulfill large orders.
The K9 howitzer remains Hanwha’s flagship product and is one of the most widely deployed artillery systems worldwide. With more than 1,800 units in operation across 11 countries, including Turkey and Egypt, the K9 dominates over 50% of the global self-propelled artillery market.
One of Hanwha’s key advantages is its ability to assemble a K9 in approximately 180 days, two to three times faster than its competitors. Additionally, the howitzer is cost-effective, with a unit price of around US$3.5 million, making it significantly cheaper than comparable Western alternatives.
Beyond the K9, Hanwha Aerospace manufactures a diverse range of advanced military platforms, including the K30 Hybrid BiHo Gun Missile System for air defense, the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), the Chunmoo multi-caliber rocket artillery system, and the Arion-SMET Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV).
While primarily known for its land-based defense systems, Hanwha has also made major contributions to aerospace and aviation technology. The company provides critical components for the FA-50 and T-50 fighter jets, which have been exported to nations including Indonesia, Iraq, the Philippines, Poland, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Hanwha supplies essential avionics and electronic systems, such as digital cameras (ACCTVS), intercom systems (ICS), and smart multi-function displays (SMFD).
Over the past 50 years, Hanwha has also produced over 10,000 aircraft engines, powering key platforms in the Republic of Korea Air Force, including the F-15K fighter jet and the T-50 advanced jet trainer.
The company also manufactures the indigenous engine for the KUH Surion, South Korea’s primary utility helicopter. The South Korean company, in collaboration with GE, is spearheading the development of an integrated engine for South Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet while simultaneously localizing critical components.
Further, Hanwha mentioned, “Based on our KF-21 engine development experience, Hanwha Aerospace will enhance exclusive development capabilities for advanced aircraft engines that can be applied to KF-21 Block 3-class manned-unmanned fighters in the future.”
The group is also looking to expand its defense portfolio into the warship construction sector. In June 2024, it finalized the acquisition of Philly Shipyard, a prominent U.S. shipbuilder that has been responsible for delivering nearly half of the large Jones Act-compliant commercial vessels in the United States since 2000.
Further strengthening its presence in the US maritime defense sector, Hanwha Ocean announced in August that it had secured its first contract from the US Navy to overhaul a 40,000-ton logistics support ship. This milestone came just a month after receiving official approval from the Navy to undertake such projects.
The South Korean conglomerate is actively involved in space system development as well. In December 2022, Hanwha Aerospace was designated as the system integrator for upgrades to the Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV) program, a recognition of its technological expertise and business capabilities.
In 2023, the company played a key role in the successful third launch of the KSLV-II rocket after implementing key upgrades to the indigenous space vehicle.
Looking ahead, Hanwha Aerospace plans to launch four additional space vehicles by 2027, a milestone that will enhance existing technologies and further strengthen its position within the global space industry.
Unprecedented Revenue Growth
The success of the South Korean company is clearly reflected in its revenue performance, which has continued to soar over the past two years.
In 2024, the South Korean defense company recorded its second consecutive year of record-breaking sales, achieving a historic milestone as its overseas sales exceeded domestic sales for the first time in the company’s history.
According to Hanwha Aerospace’s regulatory filing released in early 2025, the company recorded a total revenue of 11.25 trillion won (US$7.74 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 43% year-on-year increase.
Its operating profit surged by 190% compared to the previous year, reaching 1.72 trillion won (US$1.18 billion). With these figures, Hanwha Aerospace became the first South Korean defense firm to surpass 10 trillion won (US$6.88 billion) in annual revenue and 1 trillion won (US$688 million) in operating profit.
The company attributed its financial success primarily to its defense division, which generated approximately 7 trillion won (US$4.82 billion) in revenue and 1.57 trillion won (US$1.08 billion) in operating profit.
The performance was driven by the strong demand for Hanwha’s advanced land defense systems, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the Chunmoo multi-caliber rocket artillery system, and the Skyfall 120-millimeter self-propelled mortar system.
A key highlight of 2024 was the sharp increase in Hanwha Aerospace’s exports, which amounted to 4.4 trillion won (US$3.03 billion), surpassing its domestic sales of 4 trillion won (US$2.75 billion).
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