U.S. Army delegation visits Korea’s K9 howitzer production line
A senior U.S. Army acquisition delegation toured Hanwha Aerospace’s production facilities in Changwon, South Korea, on August 26 to review the company’s manufacturing capabilities across artillery, rocket systems and other land defense platforms.
The delegation was led by Brent G. Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. The visit included a tour of the K9 self-propelled howitzer production line, where K9MH systems are currently in production, along with a look at automated manufacturing processes including robotic welding that Hanwha uses to support high-volume output.
The delegation also watched live mobility demonstrations of the K9MH and K9A1 howitzer variants, along with a demonstration of Hanwha’s Chunmoo multiple rocket launch system, before viewing the company’s broader land systems portfolio. The visit ended with discussions between Hanwha and the delegation on the company’s manufacturing capabilities and the Army’s modernization priorities.
“Hanwha brings proven manufacturing capabilities and global production experience that will strengthen deterrence and support the U.S. industrial base,” said Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Defense USA. “For more than seven decades, the U.S.-Korea alliance has been a cornerstone of peace and security, and defense industrial cooperation is an increasingly important pillar of that alliance.”
The Changwon complex serves as the production base for Hanwha’s K9 family of howitzers, supplying concurrent production programs for South Korea, Poland, Australia, Egypt and other allied nations. Hanwha said the manufacturing capacity built through those programs will inform how the company scales up its U.S. operations.
Photo courtesy Hanwha Aerospace
Hanwha is expanding its U.S.-based production of the K9MH variant as part of what the company calls a phased localization strategy. Hanwha Defense USA’s integration and test facility in Opelika, Alabama, currently serves as the company’s U.S. artillery manufacturing hub, with additional production phases under evaluation as the company works to scale output to meet Army requirements.
Hanwha’s Changwon visit follows the company’s recent K9 export agreement with Spain, signed with Indra Sistemas on August 31, which made Spain the 11th country to operate the howitzer.
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A U.S. Army acquisition delegation toured Hanwha Aerospace’s production facilities in Changwon, South Korea, on August 26, reviewing artillery and rocket systems manufacturing capabilities. The delegation observed live demonstrations of K9 howitzer variants and the Chunmoo rocket system. Discussions focused on Hanwha's manufacturing capabilities and the U.S. Army's modernization priorities, highlighting the significance of defense industrial cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea.
- U.S. Army delegation visited Hanwha Aerospace in Changwon, South Korea on August 26.
- The delegation reviewed manufacturing capabilities for artillery and rocket systems.
- Live demonstrations of K9 howitzer variants and Chunmoo rocket system were conducted.
- Hanwha is expanding U.S.-based production of the K9MH variant.
- The visit emphasized the importance of U.S.-Korea defense industrial cooperation.