The U.S. Army has selected Hanwha Defense USA to provide prototype 155mm self-propelled howitzers for its Mobile Tactical Cannon program, awarding the South Korean defense company an agreement worth up to $262.9 million. The award covers six K9 Mobile Howitzers initially, with an option for 12 additional systems.
The award gives Hanwha a significant foothold in the U.S. Army’s artillery modernization effort and marks its first major contract directly with the service. The Army is seeking a mobile, protected 155mm artillery system to replace some of its M777 towed howitzers and provide greater mobility and survivability for maneuver formations.
The K9 Mobile Howitzer, or K9MH, is a wheeled variant of Hanwha’s K9 family of self-propelled howitzers. Hanwha had proposed the system for the MTC competition in March after the Army shifted away from developing a new artillery system and instead sought mature systems that could be produced and fielded relatively quickly. The Army’s prototype solicitation called for manufacturing, network integration, ammunition compatibility, safety and characterization testing, followed by soldier evaluation.
The MTC program is expected to lead to a larger production effort. Earlier Army planning called for a potential production contract covering as many as 500 systems beginning around fiscal 2028. The program also places significant emphasis on domestic production capacity, with the Army requiring competitors to establish a U.S.-based manufacturing capability capable of supporting increased output during a wartime mobilization.
Hanwha has been preparing for that requirement by establishing an integration and test facility in Opelika, Alabama. The company signed a three-year lease for the site in April and said it planned to invest more than $2 million in the U.S. artillery supply chain during the initial phase of its localization effort.
Hanwha faced a field of established U.S. and international artillery manufacturers. Elbit America teamed with Anduril and Oshkosh Defense on the SIGMA wheeled howitzer. American Rheinmetall offered the RCH 155, while BAE Systems competed with an Archer-based solution. Leonardo DRS and KNDS teamed on a CAESAR variant, and General Dynamics Land Systems also participated with an RCH 155-based configuration.
The selection does not yet constitute a final production decision. The six prototype systems will undergo Army testing and soldier evaluation before the service determines whether to proceed with a larger procurement. That process will give the Army an opportunity to assess the K9MH’s performance, reliability, ammunition compatibility and suitability for operations with maneuver brigades.
The effort represents the Army’s fourth attempt to modernize its artillery fleet following the 2024 cancellation of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program, reinforcing a shift toward evaluating proven systems before committing to procurement.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems.
For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
