Group : Self-Propelled Howitzers
Status : Active
Also Known As : AS9 Huntsman, K9A1, K9PL, KH-179 (Indonesia), T-155 Firtina (Turkish designation), T-155 K/M Obus (Turkish designation), Vajra-T, XK9 (development designation)
Origin : South Korea
Contractors : Hanwha Techwin*, Larsen and Toubro Ltd., World Industries Ace (WIA)
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1999
Total Production : 1,522
Unitary Cost : USD $15.0 million

The K9 Thunder is a NATO-compliant 155mm self-propelled howitzer designed to provide high rates of fire, high mobility and survivability, and rapid shoot and scoot tactics. Its primary armament is a 155mm 52-caliber gun capable of firing conventional, rocket assisted (RAP) and Base-Bleed (BB) shells with 48 projectiles onboard. Firing M107 high explosive (HE) projectile the K9 has a range of 18 km, 30 km using five-zone RAP or 40 km using six-zone K307 projectile with a chamber pressure of 52,000 psi and a muzzle velocity of 928 mps. The K9 Thunder is able to fire on targets at 40 km employing up to three K307 projectiles within 15 seconds and delivering sustained rates of fire of two/three rounds per minute. Besides, the weapon system is capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI). Its steel armor plates provide protection against land mines, up to 14.5mm machine gun fire and artillery shells. The air purification system provides protection against NBC (Nuclear, Bacteriological and Chemical) agents.

The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) is the main operator of this weapon system which was procured as the replacement for the outdated United Defense M109A2 39-caliber self-propelled howitzer. Its development started in 1989, the first prototypes were delivered in 1994 and the first K9 was inducted into service in 1999. The RoKA procured 1,040 M109A2 howitzers being produced domestically by Samsung TechWin. Over 250 K9 Thunder howitzers were fielded with the RoKA by the end of 2005. Turkey ordered the K9 Thunder under the Firtina or T-155 K/M Obus designation in 2001. Eight units were delivered in 2004 while the Turkish Army plans call for the procurement of up to 300 systems produced locally in Turkey. The Firtina variant features a MTU 881 series diesel engine developing 1,000 hp coupled to an Allison X1100-5A3 fully automatic transmission. The K9 Vajra-T is a variant designed for the Indian Army featuring improvements for desert operations. Up to 300 Vajra-T howitzers will be build in India by Larsen and Toubro Ltd.

A single RoKA artillery battalion consists of 18 K9 Thunder weapon systems plus 18 K10 ARV re-supply vehicles. The K9 Thunder features an automatic loading system which reduces the crew to four-man: gunner, gunner assistant, driver and commander.

Group : Tracked Armored Vehicles
Status : Active
Also Known As : AS10, XK10 (project name)
Origin : South Korea
Contractor : Hanwha Techwin
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2002
Total Production : 1,269

The Samsung TechWin K10 ARV is a fully automated armored ammunition re-supply vehicle designed to complement the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. Its development was compelled by the lack of such vehicle for the K9 artillery system and started in 2001 and completed one year later. The K10 ARV allows the K9 to meet its tactical requirements of higher firing rate, shoot and scoot. A single vehicle carries 104 projectiles and 54 propellant charges while its electrically driven fully automated re-supplying capability maximizes the efficiency of artillery forces delivering a maximum transfer rate of 12 rounds per minute. The K10 ARV shares the same chassis, power pack and suspension with the K9 Thunder for efficiency in logistic supports and tactical movements. Besides, the armor protection level, off-road mobility and survivability are equivalent as well.