Today, we’re looking at the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer, Australia’s newest long-range artillery system, based on South Korea’s battle-proven K9 Thunder.
Australia just received its first AS9 Huntsman, the beginning of a $788 million contract for 30 self-propelled howitzers and 15 AS10 armored resupply vehicles. These will be built at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Geelong and fully operational by 2027.
This is a major upgrade from the towed M777 howitzers Australia has relied on for years. The Huntsman offers superior mobility, protection, and firepower, making it a game-changer for modern artillery warfare.
AS9 Huntsman vs. M777: What’s the Difference?
🛡️ Firepower:
🔹 AS9 Huntsman: 155mm/52-caliber howitzer, firing up to 60 km with extended-range rounds.
🔹 M777: 155mm towed howitzer, with a 22-40 km range.
🚀 Mobility & Survivability:
🔹 AS9: Fully armored, tracked chassis for rapid movement and shoot-and-scoot tactics.
🔹 M777: Towed, unarmored, and vulnerable to counter-battery fire.
🔄 Rate of Fire & Reload:
🔹 AS9: 6-8 rounds per minute, with an automated resupply vehicle (AS10).
🔹 M777: 2-5 rounds per minute, requiring manual loading.
Lessons from Ukraine: Could the Huntsman Be Sent to Kyiv?
Ukraine’s war has proven that mobility and survivability are essential in modern artillery combat.
✅ Shoot-and-move tactics with systems like the PzH 2000 and CAESAR have been crucial for Ukraine.
✅ Fixed artillery positions are drone traps—drones and counter-battery radar make stationary guns an easy target.
✅ South Korea’s K9 Thunder is already seeing battlefield success worldwide.
Could the AS9 Huntsman or K9 Thunder end up in Ukraine? If U.S. support declines, Australia and Europe may need to step up further. With South Korea increasing K9 production and Australia building the AS9 domestically, there’s a clear supply chain ready to go.
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Stay frosty, and as always—Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes. Crimea is Ukraine. Слава Україні!
Video sources: https://pastebin.com/whyV1gNd
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