Australian Army Boosts Power: Scores New Tanks and Howitzers in Massive Upgrade!

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — In a significant development this month, the Australian Army conducted its first firing of the AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzer on domestic grounds, signaling the start of extensive training for its crews ahead of the artillery system’s official deployment.

Destined for the Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade, the Huntsman is part of a comprehensive overhaul involving the introduction of multiple advanced equipment pieces.

For many years, Australia has not possessed a modern self-propelled howitzer. The introduction of the AS9, which is a tailored version of South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace K9, extends the reach of the army’s artillery capabilities to approximately 25 miles.

Major General Jason Blain, who leads the land systems sector at the Australian Ministry of Defence, praised the AS9 Huntsman as a “highly mobile, protected, and effective artillery system that maximizes the safety and mission success of our forces.”

He further noted: “The AS9 can swiftly relocate after firing, embarking on its next assignment while keeping our soldiers secured behind its armored protection.”

The Australian Army plans to acquire 30 AS9 Huntsman units along with 15 AS10 ammunition resupply vehicles. The majority of these vehicles are being produced by Hanwha Defence Australia at a newly established facility near Melbourne.

Brigadier Ben McLennan, the commander of the 3rd Brigade, described the transition of his unit into a heavily armored division, equipped with new assets including the AS9.

The brigade is also set to receive M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles, a variety of Abrams-based combat engineering vehicles, and Boxer 8×8 combat reconnaissance vehicles.

According to McLennan, who spoke to Defense News, the first batch of AS9 howitzers is expected to be delivered to the troops by 2026, with the bulk of the units arriving by the end of 2027.

His brigade, which consists of 3,000 personnel, has already received all of its Abrams tanks.

McLennan added, “We have already taken delivery of the first set of combat engineer vehicles, including the Assault Breaching Vehicle and Joint Assault Bridge. We expect to complete the acquisition of the remaining engineering platforms within the next 12-18 months.”

Delivery of the Redback vehicles is scheduled to begin in 2027 and continue until 2029 or 2030. Meanwhile, new Boxers are expected to start arriving around 2028-2029, after the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade receives their units.

According to McLennan, the rapid introduction of this new arsenal poses a significant learning challenge. He stated, “These platforms represent a major shift for us in terms of cognitive, tactical, and physical demands.”

Despite the prominent role of drones and loitering munitions in modern conflicts like the Ukraine war, McLennan maintains that heavy armor continues to have a crucial role in current military operations.

He remarked, “The conflict between Ukraine and Russia reaffirms that some aspects of warfare remain constant, including the importance of field leadership, vehicular tactics, and basic rifle proficiency.”

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that Australia has operated howitzers in the past, specifically during the 1950s and 1960s, according to information provided by the staff of the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum in Cairns.