Unknown Artillery System Spotted on South Korean Roads

A new wheeled artillery system has been spotted on South Korean roads, which is to be sent for testing in the US.

The Defence Blog reported that the self-propelled guns are to be tested as part of the US search for a new mobile artillery platform.

The tests are to determine whether wheeled artillery systems can meet the operational requirements traditionally fulfilled by tracked systems. The evaluation phase will include live-fire exercises, integration with standard US Army ammunition, compatibility testing with fire control and communications systems, and operational assessments involving US artillery personnel.

In 2025, it was reported that Hanwha Aerospace announced the start of production of a wheeled version of the K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery system.

Photos published online show a system that differs slightly in appearance from the model presented in 2025.

The new system integrates the K9 artillery module on a Tatra-manufactured 8×8 high-mobility chassis, replacing the tracked platform used in previous K9 variants. The final selection of the new self-propelled gun in the US is expected in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2027. The US Army currently operates the M109A7 Paladin tracked system as its primary self-propelled artillery system.

Although tracked vehicles provide better protection and off-road mobility, military planners are exploring wheeled alternatives to improve rapid deployment capabilities on the battlefield.

Despite earlier expectations of competition between several types of platforms, sources indicate that only wheeled artillery systems are being considered under the program.

This approach poses a technical challenge, as the army’s requirements stipulate a level of protection no lower than that of the tracked M109A7, while also ensuring increased mobility.

BAE Systems recently received an additional $500 million for the production of M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition transport vehicles for the US Army.