Image: Hanwha
South Korean defence giant commits $2 million to U.S. artillery supply chain as it pursues Army modernisation contract
Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) has established an integration and test facility in Opelika, Alabama, to support its bid to supply the U.S. Army with the K9 Mobile Howitzer, a 155mm self-propelled artillery system with an extensive operational pedigree.
The company signed a three-year lease as part of a broader commitment to invest more than $2 million in the U.S. artillery supply chain, according to HDUSA. The move directly supports its submission under the Army’s Mobile Tactical Cannon Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP).
HDUSA says the K9 Mobile Howitzer offers a mature, low-risk, and rapidly deployable solution aligned with the Army’s long-range precision fires objectives. The system is already in service with more than a dozen allied nations, giving it a significant advantage over less-proven competitors.
Phase one of the localisation plan will create approximately 40 jobs in Opelika. HDUSA cited the city’s proximity to Auburn University as a key factor, highlighting access to engineering talent and an existing Career Skills Program linked to nearby Fort Benning.
“Building here isn’t just a smart business decision, it’s an extension of our existing partnership,” said HDUSA COO Mike Smith.
Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair welcomed the announcement. “As HDUSA and other companies answer the nation’s call for a better-equipped military, Alabama will be a ready partner,” she said.
The investment arrives as Washington intensifies efforts to rebuild its domestic defence industrial base. HDUSA says further facility expansions and additional phases remain under evaluation.
You can read more via Hanwha’s website
