The K9 Thunder is a 155mm/52 calibre self-propelled
howitzer built for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces by Hanwha Techwin, formerly known as
Samsung Techwin. It is designed to offer effective and deep
fire support in all types of threats, and also to give the artillery arm of the Republic
of Korea Army a significant improvement in capability. It has a fast rate of fire at a long range,
which is built on a high mobility platform. The development program of this self-propelled
howitzer began in 1989 and finished in 1998. Today, the K9 Thunder is one of South Korea’s
most popular artillery weapon systems available for trade in international markets. Before we move to the next scene, let’s
take a look at the specification of this successful howitzer. In terms of design, the K9 Thunder platform
is made of all-welded steel armor protection material, with a maximum thickness of 19 millimeters.

The crew of this self-propelled howitzer consists
of the commander, driver, gunner, assistant gunner, and loader. The driver is seated on the left side of the
hull, with the engine to his right, and the artillery gun system is placed on the right
side of the turret near the back of the hull. The commander and the gunner are seated. A
single entrance is positioned on the left side of the turret, and the crew can load ammunition
through a large door in the hull's rear that opens to the right. However, the aspects that shine for this artillery
against its competitors is its incorporation of a Modular Azimuth Position System
(MAPS), an automatic fire-control system (AFCS), a powered gun elevation / depression, and a
turret traverse system. Furthermore, the hydro-pneumatic suspension
system offers excellent ground clearance and agility on a variety of terrains. In regard to its armament, this howitzer has
a 155mm/52 caliber gun as its main weapon, which

capable of firing a burst rate of 3 rounds
in less than 15 seconds, and a maximum rate of fire of 6 to 8 rounds in a minute for three
minutes. Sustained rate of fire is from 2 to 3 rounds
a minute for one hour within K9. With a total of 48 projectiles, and their associated charges,
are carried for immediate use. The K9 is also designed to fit today’s shoot-and-scoot
tactical ideas, so the gun was especially made to be capable of having 18 km maximum range
on firing an M107 high explosive shell, 30 km maximum range firing an M549A1 HE Rocket
Assisted Projectile with uni-charge of 5 zones, and 40 km range firing a K301 projectile with
a modular-charge of 6 zones. The information might be sent over a data
digital radio link or over voice communications, with the projectiles automatically loaded
onto the ammunition tray and are ready to

shoot. Interestingly, it can open fire within 30
seconds at stand out position or within 60 seconds during movement. In addition, the K9 Thunder is also supplemented
by a K10 automatic ammunition re-supply vehicle built on the K9 platform where each K10 supports
two guns, which can carry 104 rounds of ammunition with a fully tracked vehicle that follows
the main artillery battery and can automatically transfer 12 rounds per minute through a conveyor
belt. This avoids the crew exposure of the combat
environment. For its engine and mobility, it is powered
by an MTU MT 881 Ka-500 8-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine coupled to the Allison ATDX1100-5A3
transmission, which produces a power output of 1,000 hp and has a power-to-weight ratio
of 21.6 horsepower/ton. Meanwhile, the enhanced K9A1 variant’s auxiliary
power unit variant can provide up to 10.7

hp of additional power, and the propulsion
system provides a top speed over 67 km/h, with a cruising range of 360 km. Moving on to the next scene, we will take
a look at its performance and survivability. The K9 boasts excellent performance with a
long shooting range for fire combat, and a fast firing speed for real-time, also quick-focused
fire power. It is a unit capable of quick displacement
after shooting, and has excellent maneuverability and survivability. This artillery also developed customized self-propelled
howitzer that meets the requirements of various countries, as well as NATO standards, where
its operational capability is excellent in a range of environments, from deserts to snowy
fields, and it is being exported to overseas countries. Moreover, the Thunder can fire its first round
within 30 seconds from the moment it first receives firing information from the Fire
Direction Center in emplaced situation. While moving, it can fire after 60 seconds,
and after firing, the Thunder can quickly

move away from its last position in anticipation
of the enemy’s counter fire before it fires the next shot. In regards to its survivability, K9 protects
the internal crew and onboard equipment against 155mm shell fragments, 14.5 mm armor-piercing
shells, and anti-personnel mines. Specifically, in NBC warfare situations, survivability
is guaranteed with the on-board air purification system and gas masks for the crew. Talking about its operational history, this
howitzer was in service in October 2003 and was evaluated by Spain at the military base
located in Zaragoza. Moving on further, K9 was sent to Malaysia
in 2004 to test its operational capability in a tropical rainforest environment, but the Thunder
saw its first combat during the bombardment of Yeonpyeong on November 23, 2010. On August 18, 2017, a K9 operated by the 5th
Artillery Brigade of the Republic of Korea

Army was set ablaze during firing exercise, claiming 3 deaths and 4 wounds among crew members and instructors. Finally, The production and the delivery of the Thunder ended in June 2018, and in November 2020, the DAPA announced that entire howitzer delivered to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces is now in full operational capability, ending the K9 Thunder program for the South Korean military. For the last point, we will highlight some important aspects of the upgraded K9 Thunder. K9 Thunder has 2 improvement variants including K9A1 and K9A2. In regard to the K9A1, this variant is equipped with improvements such as automatic fire control system, driver’s night periscope, and auxiliary power system for enhanced efficiency. The improved K9A1 provides increased range, fast fire rate, and higher mobility during day and night times. Meanwhile, the other general versions also include the K9A2, an advanced variant of the

K9 Howitzer, the UK’s Mobile Fire Platform programme, is aimed at upgrading artillery capabilities of the British Army. It is expected to enhance the firing rate, automatic ammunition loading, and other capabilities of the artillery. The advanced variant is being tested by Hanwha Defense, also the Korean government-owned research and development institution, Agency for Defense Development. The proposed solution for the UK programme will feature mine protection kits, unmanned turret, and composite rubber tracks. Hanwha’s robotic K10 ammunition resupply vehicle will also be integrated to provide an automated resupply capability. That’s all for today, thank you for watching, I’ll see you in the next video!

Why So Many Nations Want New K9 Thunder Howitzer?

Why So Many Nations Want New K9 Thunder Howitzer?