Hosted by the Estonian Defence Forces at the Estonian National Museum from Sept. 2\u20134, the annual forum provides a platform for K9 operators to exchange operational experience, strengthen partnerships and help shape the future of artillery capabilities.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe K9 has established itself as an outstanding and highly capable artillery system. Its performance, reliability, and operational capabilities have earned the trust of a growing number of NATO allies and partner nations,\u201d said Major General Viktor Kalnitski, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. \u201cThe K9 User Club brings together commanders, artillery officers, operators, technical specialists, and representatives of industry. It provides an opportunity to exchange practical experience and to discuss the challenges that each of us faces.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Building on the operational experience accumulated by K9 user nations, this year\u2019s discussions focus on how artillery capabilities should evolve to address increasingly dynamic battlefield environments. Participants discuss operational lessons learned, maintenance best practices, ammunition interoperability, training and future capability requirements while identifying opportunities for deeper collaboration among K9 operators.\n<\/p>\n
Giving K9 Eyes in the Sky<\/p>\n
One of the key highlights of this year\u2019s User Club is the next-generation K9 operating concept, which integrates fire-guidance drones directly into the artillery fire mission. Rather than focusing solely on improving the performance of the gun, the concept redefines how artillery units detect, engage and assess targets by significantly shortening the sensor-to-shooter cycle.\n<\/p>\n
Hanwha presented the concept employing a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fire-guidance drone capable of detecting and tracking targets, generating target coordinates and transmitting them directly to the fire-direction system for K9 fire missions.
The drone remains over the target area throughout the engagement, supporting target acquisition before firing, observing impacts during the mission and conducting battle damage assessment after engagement.\n<\/p>\n
Continuous aerial observation enables artillery units to engage moving or time-sensitive targets more effectively while reducing reliance on forward observers operating in exposed positions.\n<\/p>\n
The concept demonstrates how the K9 is evolving beyond a conventional self-propelled howitzer into a more connected, responsive and networked battlefield system.\n<\/p>\n
Expanding K9 Beyond Tracks<\/p>\n
The next evolution of the K9 extends beyond how it fights\u2014it also redefines what the platform itself can become. Building on decades of operational success, Hanwha Aerospace is demonstrating the K9 platform\u2019s scalability and adaptability, positioning it as the foundation for a broader family of future artillery capabilities.\n<\/p>\n
Hanwha is leveraging the proven technologies, operational experience and continuous innovation behind the K9 to extend the platform into new artillery solutions tailored to evolving operational requirements. This approach enables new capabilities while preserving the reliability, survivability and firepower that have made the K9 one of the world\u2019s most successful self-propelled howitzers.\n<\/p>\n
To illustrate that vision, Hanwha outlined new wheeled artillery concepts incorporating advanced technologies\u2014including the K9A2\u2019s fully automated turret\u2014to deliver greater operational mobility, deployment flexibility and responsiveness. The concepts demonstrate how proven K9 technologies can be applied beyond the traditional tracked configuration, enabling more agile and flexible fire support while leveraging the platform\u2019s mature technology base and operational experience.\n<\/p>\n
Hanwha\u2019s recent selection for the U.S. Army\u2019s Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) prototype<\/a> program further reinforces the company\u2019s growing expertise in next-generation mobile artillery and demonstrates the global competitiveness of its advanced artillery technologies. Smarter Sustainment for the K9 Fleet<\/p>\n Hanwha Aerospace\u2019s TOMMS Sustainment Portal also drew significant attention from participating K9 operators as they explored ways to enhance fleet readiness and long-term sustainment.\n<\/p>\n Designed to digitize spare-parts procurement and logistics, TOMMS integrates requests for quotation, quotations, purchase orders and delivery tracking into a single platform, providing greater visibility and efficiency throughout the sustainment process. Hanwha also plans to connect TOMMS with its spare-parts warehouse in Poland to further strengthen support for European K9 operators.\n<\/p>\n Looking ahead, the company aims to leverage maintenance and operational data to forecast spare-parts demand and position critical components before they are needed, moving from reactive logistics toward predictive sustainment.\n<\/p>\n The initiative is expected to improve fleet readiness, maximize operational availability and reduce lifecycle support costs, supporting K9 operators throughout the system\u2019s entire lifecycle.\n<\/p>\n Senior Executive Vice President Peter JK Bae, Head of MRO Business Division, said: The K9 User Club is hosted by participating user nations on a rotating basis, with Australia set to host the next K9 User Club in 2027.\n<\/p>\n
Together, these developments demonstrate that the K9 is no longer simply a tracked self-propelled howitzer. It is evolving into a scalable and adaptable artillery platform capable of supporting multiple configurations, integrating emerging technologies and meeting diverse operational requirements for the battlefield of the future.
\n![\"Beyond](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/defence\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/K9-USER-CLUB-IN-ESTONIA-1-1024x768.jpg\")
Beyond the Howitzer: Beyond the Howitzer: Hanwha Unveils Next Evolution of K9Unveils Next Evolution of K9. (Photo: Hanwha)\n<\/p>\n
The system includes a digital catalogue covering 700\u2013800 frequently requested spare parts, enabling operators to identify required components more efficiently while improving procurement visibility.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe K9 User Club has become much more than an annual gathering. It is a collaborative platform where users, operators and industry work together to transform operational experience into future capability development. Every lesson learned in the field helps shape the next generation of K9 capabilities\u2014from new operating concepts and mobility solutions to smarter sustainment.\u201d\n<\/p>\n