Korea Artillery programs

[Baljak]

K9A1 being tested in Egypt.

 

[Windchime]

Similar to SMV1360 for the K1, STX Engine is also offering SMV1000 engine for the K9 SPH. In the past, export deal of K9 has slipped due to German arms embargo against the Sauds and its allied Sunni nations in the Arab. Similar thing also happened in the K2 deal with Oman. Due to this, there's a need to develop a Korean 1000hp class replacement engine for the K9 for export to nations that have diplomatic problems with the Germans.

 

[Chocopie]

View attachment 51487

Similar to SMV1360 for the K1, STX Engine is also offering SMV1000 engine for the K9 SPH. In the past, export deal of K9 has slipped due to German arms embargo against the Sauds and its allied Sunni nations in the Arab. Similar thing also happened in the K2 deal with Oman. Due to this, there's a need to develop a Korean 1000hp class replacement engine for the K9 for export to nations that have diplomatic problems with the Germans.

SMV1000 in 2025 would be a perfect Korean engine for Polish K9PL production, if the Poles hold on to their plans of indigenous production.

Future defense deal prospects in the Middle East and a homegrown power pack for K9A2. I think K9A3 will flash a hybrid propulsion solution …

 

[urban mine]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1642827731548372992

 

[urban mine]

First picture of the K239 Chunmoo MLRS with KTSSM-I batch-II

Compared to the standard K239, you can see that the launcher is slightly extended.

239mm, 300mm, KTSSM-I batch-II(CTM=Chunmoo Tactical Missile+290KM)

 

[MaciekRS]

What is the range of that batch II?

 

[urban mine]

What is the range of that batch II?

The range is 290 kilometers. Actually, I don't know if it's correct to use the term batch-2, maybe KTSSM-2 is the official name.

 

[Chocopie]

KTSSM-2:

• 200+ km actually, final range 290 km (export) / 290+ km (domestic)
• 600 mm diameter
• 500 kg improved penetration (bunker busting) thermobaric warhead
• 2 m CEP only (higher precision compared to 10 m CEP of US ATACMS or other similar tactical missiles)

Older clip of KTSSM-1 test firing:

 

[MaciekRS]

K-9 on polish beach

 

[Windchime]

The range is 290 kilometers. Actually, I don't know if it's correct to use the term batch-2, maybe KTSSM-2 is the official name.

It's KTSSM-II. KTSSM-II itself has two blocks, each with different warheads.

 

[Chocopie]

Beautiful 3D models of K9 Thunder and its export variants (Polish Krab with K9 chassis included). Firtina I unit no. are too high but every model looks pretty cool in different camo and design details.

 

[urban mine]

Planning for the Future MLRS Platform in South Korea

It shows that we are ready for the battlefield of the future with lightweight, unmanned platforms like HIMARS and AML. I like the idea of an unmanned platform like AML.

 

[MaciekRS]

How is the Romanian K9 deal going? Is it already signed and done deal or there is still talk?

Romania: K9 self-propelled howitzer wins artillery tender

According to local Romanian media, the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer has won a tender for the new 155mm artillery system of the Romanian Armed Forces.

defence-industry.eu

 

[urban mine]

How is the Romanian K9 deal going? Is it already signed and done deal or there is still talk?

Romania: K9 self-propelled howitzer wins artillery tender

According to local Romanian media, the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer has won a tender for the new 155mm artillery system of the Romanian Armed Forces.

defence-industry.eu

No, it was just a hasty expression by the Romanian media. It seems that the news from Defense Romania has been misquoted by other international media.
However, Hanwha said it had a positive conversation with the Romanian Ministry of National Defense.

 

[Chocopie]

S. Korea succeeds in development of 155 mm extended-range artillery shell technology​

By Kim Joo-heon

[Courtesy of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration]

SEOUL -- South Korea has succeeded in the development of a 155-millimeter diameter extended-range cannon artillery system. The technology, developed by domestic ammunition producer Poonsgsan, can increase the range of current projectiles by 30 percent or more.

To extend the range, the 155 mm range extension project incorporated base bleed technology, designed for drag reduction of shells, and a rocket-assisted projectile. According to Poongsan, the existing range of about 40 kilometers (24.9 miles) was improved to a maximum of 60 kilometers.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a state arms procurement agency, said on February 6 that the agency partnered with Poongsan for the mass production of the 155 mm extended-range artillery shell. DAPA Minister Eom Dong-hwan said the extended-range shell could present opportunities for South Korea to push for its exports, particularly in connection with the K9 self-propelled howitzer.

Hanwha Aerospace, a defense solution flagship of South Korea's Hanwha Group, signed a basic contract with Poland's defense ministry in July 2022 for the export of 672 K9 self-propelled howitzers. As of December last year, Hanwha Aerospace also secured a secondary export contract worth 3.4 trillion won ($26 billion).

Poongsan has secured its exclusive position in the domestic military ammunition market since it jumped into the production of bullets and artillery shells in 1973. The company, also known for its fabricated non-ferrous metal products, now produces almost all types of ammunition used by South Korean troops.

S. Korea succeeds in development of 155 mm extended-range artillery shell technology | Aju Press

SEOUL -- South Korea has succeeded in the development of a 155-millimeter diameter extended-range cannon artillery system. The technology, developed by domestic ammunition producer Poonsgsan, can increase the range of current projectiles by 30 percent or more.To extend the range, the 155 mm...

m.ajudaily.com

 

[Chocopie]

More details:

ADEX 2023: South Korea develops new extended-range shell for K9 howitzer​

by Akhil Kadidal Oct 19, 2023, 15:05 PM

The South Korean metal and munition manufacturer, Poongsan, has said that it has developed a new extended-range version of its 155 mm ammunition for the Hanwha Land...

This infographic shows Poongsan's 155 mm shells for the K9 Howitzer. A photograph of a cutaway version of the extended range 155 mm shell appears at the bottom. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)

The South Korean metal and munition manufacturer, Poongsan, has said that it has developed a new extended-range version of its 155 mm ammunition for the Hanwha Land Systems K9 self-propelled howitzer (SPH).

Speaking to Janes during the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023, a company representative said that the 155 mm extended range munition (ERM) represents a 50% increase in range compared with the company's earlier K307 base burn/high explosive (BB/HE) shell.

“The 155 mm ERM has a range of 60 km, which was achieved by the use of a smaller TNT charge in comparison to the K307 munition and a strong solid-fuel propellant,” the representative said.

According to information provided by Poongsan during the show, the company's baseline projectile for the K9 howitzer (the KM107), has a weight of 41.86 kg and has a maximum range of 18.8 km with the powerful K677 charge. According to Janes Weapons: Ammunition, the KM107 is a licence-produced version of the US M107 HE projectile.

Poongsan's follow-on, improved projectile, the K307 has a weight of 46.4 kg and a maximum range of 41 km with the K677 charge. The company representative said that the weight, TNT quantity, and charge of the 155 mm ERM could not be disclosed because of security reasons.

While the reduction of the TNT charge in the 155 mm ERM reduces the explosive power of the new projectile, Janes understands that Poongsan could consider alternative explosives such as High Melting eXplosive (HMX) to improve the 155 mm munitions.

ADEX 2023: South Korea develops new extended-range shell for K9 howitzer

The South Korean metal and munition manufacturer, Poongsan, has said that it has developed a new extended-range version of its 155 mm ammunition for the Hanwha Land...

www.janes.com

 

[Nilgiri]

L&T, a construction giant with a long history, came into the defence business only at the turn of the 21st century, thanks to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who roped in companies like the Tatas and L&T to build some parts in the Integrated Guided Missile Programme in the 1980s.

At the beginning of this century, the government opened up licensed defence manufacturing for Indian companies. Then L&T decided to obtain defence licenses. Since then, it has been a thrilling ride, a bit of a roller coaster, says Arun T. Ramchandani, head of L&T Defence in this chat with Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale in the latest episode of On the Shop Floor.

Looking back, he says because L&T started from a core R&D base it has been able to build at least 250 products for the armed forces. About 35 of them are in serial production today. Gradually the company also got into warship construction and has made a name for itself in designing and building submarines too. Watch the full episode shot at L&T's Talegaon complex.

At around the 22 minute mark, the backstory of K9 thunder in Indian SPH requirement is explored.

 

[MaciekRS]

"Hanwha Aerospace likely to sign additional deal for Chunmoo with Poland


By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace Co. is expected to export an additional batch of Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Poland, a deal estimated at around 2.2 trillion won (US$1.6 billion),

As Poland committed to buying 288 units of the Chunmoo and signed a contract to purchase 218 units in November 2022, the anticipated deal is likely to cover the remaining 70 units, they noted."

Hanwha Aerospace likely to sign additional deal for Chunmoo with Poland: sources | Yonhap News Agency

By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace ...

en.yna.co.kr

 

[urban mine]

Romania to buy 54 howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace

WARSAW, Poland — The Romanian Ministry of National Defence has chosen the K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzer for the nation’s armed forces.

The country’s military is to receive a total of 54 howitzers with related gear, the ministry said in a statement.

The decision to buy the weapon, which is manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace, was announced on June 19 following a meeting held by Romanian National Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr and his South Korean counterpart, Won-sik Shin. The meeting was part of the Shin’s official visit to Romania.

The South Korean company was designated as “the winner of a competitive procedure for Romania’s purchase of three howitzer systems caliber 155 mm at battalion level, comprising 54 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers, support equipment, and an initial amount of specific ammunition,” according to the ministry.

The statement did not disclose the value of the forthcoming procurement. However, earlier information from the Romanian ministry indicated that Bucharest plans to spend around RON 4.2 billion (U.S. $910 million) to acquire new howitzers along with related gear and ammunition.

Local sources have said other bidders for the contract included Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann with the Panzerhaubitze 2000, and Turkish BMC with its T-155 Fırtına.

Alexandru Georgescu, a Bucharest-based security and defense analyst, told Defense News that the South Korean offer of industrial cooperation with Romania’s defence industry played a large role in convincing local decision-makers to select the K9, combined with relatively short delivery and integration schedules.

 

[Chocopie]

ROK conducts live-fire drills with K239 Chunmoo MRLS

Today marks the 74th anniversary of the Korean War outbreak (6.25 전쟁) when DPRK troops invaded the ill-prepared South. Never again: Si vis pacem para bellum!

S. Korea conducts live-fire drills with Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers | Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- The military conducted live-fire drills of homegrown Chunmoo mu...

m-en.yna.co.kr

The military conducted live-fire drills of homegrown Chunmoo multiple rocket launch systems (MRLS) Tuesday, the Army said, to sharpen precision strike capabilities and bolster readiness against North Korean threats.

Some 190 troops participated in the drills that mobilized seven units of Chunmoo MRLS, as well as some 80 pieces of equipment operated by the Navy and the Air Force, including corvettes and fighter jets, according to the Army.

During the drills that took place at a firing range in Boryeong, 140 kilometers southwest of Seoul, 48 long-range guided rockets* were launched from the Chunmoo units to reach targets located 55 km away, the Army said.

The Chunmoo MRLS is a key military weapon designed to counter North Korean artillery threats in the event of a contingency.

*239 mm CGR-80, max. 80 km, CEP 15 m, GPS-guided INS, High explosive or cluster munition warhead with 300 bomblets