South Korea Starts Production of Domestic Engine for K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Guns

28 September, 2024 Production of K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery systems. Photo: Hanwha South Korean company STX Engine has started mass production of engines for K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery systems.

This is reported by Janes. The production of domestic power plants will allow Hanwha to take a more stable position in the global export market. In addition, the new power plant is more productive and has better efficiency than the German MTU, which will have a positive impact on the driving performance of the artillery system.

An SMV 1000 8-cylinder 1000-horsepower diesel engine.

Photo: STX Engine

It should be noted that the installation of a domestically produced engine was planned much earlier, as the use of German engines did not allow the country to export the self-propelled artillery systems to some countries in the Middle East. Hanwha is currently preparing to install the SMV 1000 engine on the new K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery systems. In addition, a similar engine replacement is planned for K2 main battle tanks, which also use the power plant and transmission of the German company MTU and Renk.

It should be noted that Hanwha has recently received a lot of orders for military equipment, which requires the company to use as many Korean components as possible.

K9 Thunder (AS9 Huntsman) test.

2023. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Australia

Through the "Made in Korea" program, defense companies are thus trying to fully move away from foreign components and their impact on companies' export capabilities.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that the Romanian Ministry of Defense had signed a contract for the purchase of South Korean K9 Thunder artillery systems. According to the contract, Romania will receive 54 K9 Thunder tracked artillery systems, as well as 36 K10 ARV ammunition replenishment vehicles. The value of the signed agreement is USD 920 million.

This makes Romania the sixth NATO member to operate the K9 and the eighth international operator.