The Australian Army has achieved a significant milestone by firing the AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzer on home soil for the very first time. This event marks a crucial step forward as the military prepares to introduce this advanced artillery system into active service. Crews have now started intensive training on the platform, which signals a return to modern self-propelled artillery after many decades.
A Modern Artillery System
The AS9 Huntsman represents an Australianized version of South Korea's K9 howitzer, developed by Hanwha Aerospace. This powerful system will extend the army's tube artillery range to approximately 25 miles, providing significant firepower capabilities. Australia is acquiring 30 AS9 howitzers along with 15 AS10 ammunition resupply vehicles to support these operations.
Manufacturing and Deployment
Most of these vehicles will be manufactured by Hanwha Defence Australia at a facility located near Melbourne. The Huntsman system is designated to equip the 3rd Brigade, which is currently undergoing transformation into a heavy armored formation. This shift represents a major capability upgrade for the Australian Army as it prepares for high-intensity operations.
Major General Jason Blain, who heads land systems at the Australian Defence Ministry, described the platform in glowing terms. He called it a "highly mobile, protected and potent self-propelled howitzer" that gives troops the best possible chance of completing missions and returning home safely to their families.
General Blain emphasized the system's mobility, noting that "As soon as the last round leaves the barrel, the AS9 Huntsman is quickly on the move to its next mission, while ensuring our soldiers remain safely behind armoured protection."
Comprehensive Modernization Program
Brigadier Ben McLennan, who commands the 3rd Brigade, explained that his formation is transitioning alongside a wave of new capabilities. This comprehensive modernization includes several key systems:
- M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks
- AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles
- Abrams-based combat engineering vehicles
- Boxer 8x8 reconnaissance vehicles
Delivery Timeline Updates
Brigadier McLennan provided specific updates regarding the expected delivery times for these new systems:
- M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Tanks: Procurement is complete, and the brigade has received its full complement of main battle tanks.
- Combat Engineering Platforms: Delivery is currently underway. Initial Assault Breaching Vehicles and Joint Assault Bridges have been received, with the remaining fleet expected over the next 12 to 18 months.
- AS9 Huntsman Howitzers: Initial deliveries are slated for 2026, with the majority of the 30-unit fleet expected to be operational by late 2027.
- AS21 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles: Scheduled for a multi-year delivery window beginning in 2027 and concluding by 2030.
- Boxer 8x8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles: Expected between 2028 and 2029, following completion of deliveries to the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade.
Challenges and Adaptation
The volume of incoming equipment presents a demanding adjustment for military personnel. Brigadier McLennan acknowledged this challenge openly, calling it "a very steep" learning curve. He noted that "These platforms are a step change for us — cognitively, tactically and physically."
Despite the prominence of drones, loitering munitions, and remote strike systems in contemporary conflicts like the Ukraine war, McLennan argued that heavy armor still maintains a vital role in modern warfare. He pointed to durable principles that remain constant even as technology evolves.
"What the Ukraine-Russian war also shows us is that the more things change, the more they stay the same," McLennan observed, highlighting enduring aspects of field leadership, vehicle handling, and rifle skills that continue to matter in combat situations.
Strategic Significance
The Huntsman program represents one of the Australian Army's most significant capability upgrades in recent years. As the military gears toward high-intensity operations with a more heavily armored force, this artillery system will play a crucial role in enhancing Australia's defensive and offensive capabilities.
This development comes at a time when militaries worldwide are reassessing their equipment needs and tactical approaches based on lessons from recent conflicts. The Australian Army's investment in modern self-propelled artillery demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a credible and effective defense force capable of responding to diverse security challenges.
