Hanwha Aerospace unveiled a new initial conceptual model 8X8 SPH 155 to continue its claim to re-enter the European market. Hanwha is keen to develop a wheeled self-propelled howitzer, in addition to the world's most proven and popular K9 track artillery, to expand its overseas markets further. ROK defence company Hanwha Aerospace announced the development of a new wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) at the 2024 Defence Quality Comprehensive Academic Conference on July 19 in Changwon.
This is going to be a government project in which the company is investing. The company proved its competency by the success of the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. Ten countries prefer the howitzer, including Egypt and NATO nations such as Estonia, Finland, Norway, Poland, and Turkiye. The tracked design offers superior mobility over rough terrain and supports shoot-and-run tactics without requiring a dirt shovel for stability. However, tracked vehicles are more expensive to maintain and operate than tire-driven systems, which can travel hundreds of km on the road without additional transport vehicles.
(Hanwha K105A1 SPH)
This is the second ROK’s wheeled self-propelled howitzer, following the K105A1, and the first to be entirely developed within the country. Hanwha Aerospace independently funded the development of its tire-wheeled howitzer or used its own company funds.
This new wheeled howitzer is built on the chassis of the KTSSM 8×8 multi-barrelled rocket launch vehicle, which has high mobility and manoeuvrability. The new SPH will have a K9A2 fully autoloading turret to be equipped with a similar 52-calibre barrel, but there are plans for future upgrades to a 58-calibre barrel. This model is designed to compete with existing models such as the RCH 155, French CAESAr MkI and MkII, Israeli ATMOS 2000, SIGMA 155 mm artillery system and Rheinmetall’s wheeled howitzer, which integrates a 155mm L52 gun with the HX3 10x10 platform.
However, in the future, the 155/58 howitzer will be equipped with a longer barrel, capable of hitting targets over 70 km with guided ammunition, even though the initial range will be 40-50 km. Its combat weight will be less than 40 tonnes, which makes it an ideal competitor to Archer, RCH 155, and Sigma 155.
This new SPH does not yet have an official name, but according to Korean industry sources, it will be ready in 2.5 years.
