By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
A group of former USFK commanders and South Korean military generals visited Hanwha Aerospace’s Changwon Plant 3 on November 1 to tour the vibrant production lines of the company’s signature combat vehicles, including the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (ARV).
The visit was organized by the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) and the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation (KUASF). Among the participants were Retired Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Chairman and President of KDVA; Retired Gen. Walter L. Sharp; Retired Gen. Robert B. Abrams; Retired Gen. Leem Ho-young, President of KUASF; and Retired Major Gen. Shin Kyung-soo, Secretary General of KUSAF.
“We sincerely welcome your visit at a time when the ROK-U.S. alliance is evolving to meet the changing security environment,” said President Shin Hyun-woo, Head of Hanwha Aerospace’s Public Affairs Office, in welcoming the former Army generals of the U.S. and South Korea. “Hanwha is fully dedicated to any efforts to enhance the alliance.”
Touring the manufacturing factory of artillery and combat vehicles, the American retired generals were impressed by the facility’s manufacturing capacity and automation process meeting large amounts of international orders.
“All of the vehicles, all of the equipment (of Hanwha), are absolutely top rated, and I do believe that the United States and the Republic of Korea are not just because of our strong alliance, but it would be a great benefit for us to partner together and have these great vehicles as part of our fleet,” said Sharp, who had served as USFK/CFC/UNC commander from 2008 and 2011.
Having served as USFK/CFC/UNC commander from 2018 to 2021, Abrams was more explicit in evaluating the proven capabilities of the K9 SPH and K10 ARV.
“I’m the only one (in this group) that’s fired all these vehicles when I was the commander. I fired the K9A1 and it’s really good,” said Abrams. “I think American artillery manufacturers can learn a lot (from the K9), especially the fire control system and the support vehicle.
Referring to the robotic ammunition resupply system for the K10, the retired four-star general added, “It’s important how it provides protected transfer of ammunition. That’s actually a game changer and we don’t have that.”
The remarks came as Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA), an American defense subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, was selected by the U.S. Army as one of the five contractors to demonstrate their artillery systems to inform U.S. Army requirements, including capabilities of extended range. Under the Self-Propelled Howitzer Performance Demonstration program, Hanwha is demonstrating the capabilities of the K9A1 and K10 ARV this month.
Developed in 1999, the K9 artillery system can deliver consistent, accurate, rapid effects at ranges of more than 40 kilometers. The 47-ton artillery is optimized for ‘Shoot and Scoot’ capability to fire multiple rounds and immediately moving to a different location to avoid counter-fire. The artillery gun is being upgraded to feature a fully automatic ammunition handling system. The autoloading next-generation artillery will be capable of firing over 9 rounds per minute, with just two or three crew members.
