As the number of countries operating Hanwha Aerospace's K9 self-propelled howitzer increases globally, the K10 ammunition resupply vehicle, exported in conjunction with the K9, is performing as an unsung hero of the exports. The K10 automatically supplies the K9 with 155mm ammunition weighing around 40 kg, and Hanwha Aerospace is the first to successfully develop a robotic ammunition carrier in the world.
According to the defense industry on the 25th, Romania signed a contract worth 1.4 trillion won this July to introduce 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 36 K10 ammunition supply vehicles. This brings the total number of countries introducing the K9 to 10, and among them, the countries that introduced both the K9 and K10 are South Korea, Norway, Australia, Egypt, and Romania, totaling 5 countries. Half of the K9 acquiring nations have chosen the K10.
In Romania's self-propelled howitzer project, the K9 competed against Germany's PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer. In order to break the long-standing practice of 'weapon transactions among North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries,' Hanwha Aerospace needed differentiated strategies, and it is said that they persuaded the Romanian government by emphasizing the advantage of being able to operate the K10 ammunition carrier alongside the K9.
A Hanwha Aerospace official noted, "The self-propelled howitzer requires smooth supply of ammunition, and if soldiers manually load ammunition onto it, there is a risk of exposure to the enemy," adding, "The K10 utilizes a common platform with the K9, making it highly compatible in terms of expense, production, training, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO)."
The K10 is a fully automated control system vehicle designed to maximize the performance of the K9 self-propelled howitzer. It is typically operated at a ratio of 1 K10 for every 1 to 3 K9s. The K10 combines an ammunition supply device and other components with the K9's basic chassis, maintaining K9-level mobility and protection capabilities.
The K10 can carry a total of 198 rounds, including 104 shells and 94 propellant charges. This amount is sufficient to resupply the K9 self-propelled howitzer about twice. The transfer mechanism mounted at the front of the K10 connects with the ammunition loading platform at the rear of the K9, capable of supplying over 12 rounds of ammunition per minute. This reduces the time compared to manual supply by a factor of ten. The K10 is also equipped with an automated control system for inventory management, as well as self-fault detection and diagnosis.
Hanwha Aerospace began developing the K10 in 1998, after completing the K9 development. Unlike the K9, which was developed under national leadership, the K10 represents an unusual case of industry-led development.
At the time of K10 development, there was insufficient technology to reference globally, so Hanwha Aerospace conducted joint research with universities to gather basic data and conceptual studies. They attempted designs based on brochures collected from overseas exhibitions and held dozens of meetings daily to revise blueprints. Through these efforts, the K10 was decided to be acquired by the Army at the end of the 2000s, achieving final development success in August 2005.
Countries like the United States have also succeeded in developing ammunition carrier vehicles similar to the K10, but they failed to commercialize them. This was due to the excessive costs incurred from applying expensive materials and components, along with increased weight that affected the project's viability.
In September 2022, Hanwha Aerospace invited personnel from the U.S. Army's self-propelled howitzer project to demonstrate the operation of the K9 and K10 at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. At that time, Major General Edmond 'Miles' Brown reportedly inspected the equipment closely and remarked, "It is moving to see a country that used U.S. artillery decades ago now bring advanced equipment to the U.S. for this kind of event."