South Korea has achieved a significant milestone in its defense capabilities by successfully developing the first domestically produced engine for the K9 ‘Thunder’ self-propelled howitzer.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) made the announcement on September 27, highlighting the culmination of a project that began in 2021.
The initiative, which cost approximately 32.16 billion won (US$24.5 million), was a collaborative effort involving STX Engine Co., Hanwha Aerospace Co., and several other partners.
The move is part of South Korea’s broader strategy to reduce its reliance on foreign defense components, to achieve greater self-sufficiency in military technology.
The K9 howitzer is powered by a German MTU engine manufactured by STX Engine under a licensing agreement. However, DAPA emphasized that the new homegrown engine promises to be more cost-efficient and enhance overall performance.
This development is particularly advantageous for export initiatives, as it eliminates the need for additional approval procedures related to foreign components, thereby streamlining the process for potential buyers.
The K9 howitzer has emerged as one of South Korea’s most successful defense exports, securing sales to several countries, including Australia, Egypt, India, Norway, and Poland.
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The K9 howitzer requires a crew of three individuals. It features a fully automated ammunition handling system and an autoloader discharging nine rounds per minute, all while achieving an effective range exceeding 40 kilometers.
The integration of a domestic engine is expected to further bolster the K9’s appeal in international markets, especially given the current global defense climate.
Hanwha Aerospace is actively promoting the K9 Thunder 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer to fill the capability gap left by the US Army’s suspension of its Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) platform prototype, aiming to capture the U.S. market.
While US and European defense contractors work to improve their manufacturing capabilities, the South Korean company offers benefits such as streamlined production lines, reliable supply chains, and faster delivery times.
With an assembly timeline of around 180 days, Hanwha can produce the K9 much more quickly than its competitors, who usually take two to three times longer. Additionally, the K9’s price point of approximately $3.5 million offers a competitive edge: about half to one-third the cost of similar offerings from global competitors.
Why Focus On Homegrown Engines?
South Korean military technology has gained recognition for its high quality, cost-effectiveness, and efficient delivery, positioning it favorably against American and Western alternatives.
With the introduction of the homegrown engine, South Korea is poised to enhance its defense export strategy and solidify the K9 howitzer’s status in the global arms market.
In 2020, the South Korean arms procurement agency explained that developing an indigenous engine for the K9 was crucial for enhancing self-sufficiency in national defense and promoting the export of this sophisticated artillery system.
Although specifications of the newly developed engine have not been disclosed, previous reports suggest that the homegrown engine will be a 1,000-horsepower diesel unit designed to replace the current German MTU 881 Ka-500 water-cooled diesel engine powering the K9.
Despite ongoing negotiations for K9 sales to various countries, the process has faced hurdles, primarily due to a German arms embargo affecting certain Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia.
The German government has repeatedly extended its arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, which has hindered South Korea’s efforts to finalize deals. The embargo, initially enacted in response to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in late 2018, has been a major obstacle in expanding K9 exports.
In addition to the advancements with the K9, South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace is strategically investing to enhance its domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.
The company plans to invest approximately 40 billion won (about $28.91 million) by 2025 to establish a new aircraft engine factory that will produce engines for fighter jets, including the KF-21.
The move is part of a long-term vision, with Hanwha targeting the development of a 15,000-pound-force turbo-fan engine by the mid-to-late 2030s.
Only six countries— the United States, Britain, France, Russia, Ukraine, and China —have developed indigenous engine technology that is operational in aircraft.
Hanwha Aerospace, while assembling aircraft engines under license from global firms such as GE, Pratt & Whitney, and France’s Safran, is eager to expand its domestic capabilities beyond missile and naval engines.
With the introduction of its indigenous engine for the K9 howitzer, South Korea is set to increase its stature in the global arms market. The K9 has already made its mark as one of the country’s most successful defense exports, and the new domestic engine is expected to generate increased international interest.
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