사진 확대

Hanwha Aerospace Co. has been selected as the sole contractor for the U.S. Army’s next-generation self-propelled howitzer prototype program.

It marks the first time a complete weapons system developed by a South Korean company will be exported to the United States.

Coming after Korea’s defeat in Canada’s next-generation submarine competition, the deal carries added significance. The breakthrough in the notoriously demanding U.S. defense market should serve as a catalyst for the next leap forward for K-defense.

The Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC), which Hanwha will develop for the U.S. Army, is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer based on the K9. Hanwha will initially deliver six units, followed by 12 more. After four years of prototype testing, the program could lead to an additional order of up to 480 units if the system is approved for mass production.

The U.S. Army’s push to adopt wheeled self-propelled howitzers reflects lessons from the war in Ukraine. As drones have transformed modern battlefields, the ability to move quickly after firing has become critical to survivability.

The U.S. Army is therefore moving to replace its towed M777 howitzers with wheeled self-propelled systems.

Hanwha’s selection reflects not only the K9’s technological capabilities but also the company’s localization strategy. The wheeled K9 can relocate within 30 seconds of firing, fire up to eight or nine rounds per minute, and reload quickly with the help of an ammunition resupply vehicle.

Hanwha has also been building its local presence, including a self-propelled howitzer testing facility in Alabama and plans for a 155-millimeter ammunition plant in Arkansas.

What makes the deal even more significant is that Hanwha defeated some of the world’s leading defense companies.

Germany’s Rheinmetall AG, Britain’s BAE Systems Plc, Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd., and U.S.-based General Dynamics Corp. were among the contenders.

Despite expectations that U.S. companies or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members might have an advantage, Hanwha ultimately prevailed on the strength of the K9’s performance and its commitment to localization.

Global defense spending is soaring as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine drive a rapid expansion of the arms market. Korea must seize this opportunity.

K-defense can no longer rely solely on its competitive pricing and ability to meet delivery schedules. It must also incorporate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and strengthen its technological edge.

The U.S. Army deal should be more than a one-off export success. It should become a springboard for Korea to establish itself as one of the world’s four leading defense powers.