South Korea’s K9MH Howitzer Targets U.S. Army Tender

South Korea’s Hanwha Group, through its subsidiary Hanwha Defense USA, is promoting a new wheeled K9MH self-propelled howitzer built on the Czech Tatra Force chassis for a U.S. Army tender.

The Czech outlet Armadni Noviny reports that photos of the K9MH were published last week on the Hanwha Defense USA website. The system is being positioned for the U.S. Army’s Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program.

The Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) is a U.S. Army project aimed at rapidly replacing 155mm M777 howitzer systems in Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs), which are set to transform into Mobile Brigade Combat Teams (MBCTs), as well as in Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs). The total requirement is reported to be up to 498 guns.

According to the request for prototype proposals, bidders will compete for contracts to deliver between six and twelve prototypes of a 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. A decision on which systems will advance to the next stage is expected in July 2026.

Deliveries of the selected prototypes are expected to begin by the end of the current fiscal year, which concludes in September. The final selection is scheduled for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2027, following a cycle of intensive testing.

The K9MH self-propelled howitzer is mounted on a third-generation Tatra Force chassis, featuring a modern armored cab from Tatra Defence Vehicle.

The official list of participants in the Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) tender has not yet been released. However, the main contenders are expected to include Rheinmetall (RCH 155), Elbit America (Sigma), KNDS in cooperation with Leonardo DRS, as well as Hanwha Aerospace with the tracked K9A2 and wheeled K9MH. Participation by General Dynamics Land Systems in partnership with KNDS Deutschland (Nemesis project), and BAE Systems (Archer), is also being considered.

K9MH self-propelled howitzer

The K9MH is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer based on the latest version of the K9 Thunder – the K9A2. Hanwha Aerospace announced the start of production of this variant in October 2025.

It combines a third-generation 8×8 Tatra Force wheeled chassis with an armored cab from Tatra Defence Vehicle, a new turret from the K9A2, and a 155mm CN98 gun with a 52-caliber barrel.

Meanwhile, Hanwha Aerospace is developing a new 58-caliber gun that can be used on both the K9A2 and K9MH, with a range of up to 70 km when using precision-guided munitions.

The A2 turret is fully automated compared to the A1 version and features a new loading system. This has increased the rate of fire from 6–8 to 10 rounds per minute, although for the wheeled version it is expected to be around 8–9 rounds per minute.

The crew has been reduced to three personnel, a commander, gunner, and driver, who are all housed in an armored cabin. The howitzer can carry up to 40 shells and 192 modular propellant charges.