The Australian Army has officially commenced a significant phase of its modernization program, conducting the inaugural live-fire exercises of the AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzer on domestic soil. This event marks the beginning of a comprehensive training cycle for crews who will operate the new system, signalling a major shift in the nation’s land combat capabilities.
For the first time in decades, the Australian Army is set to field a modern self-propelled howitzer, closing a long-standing capability gap. The AS9 Huntsman, an Australian-specific variant of the South Korean K9 Thunder developed by Hanwha Aerospace, offers a substantial upgrade over existing towed artillery. The system extends the effective range of the army’s tube artillery to approximately 25 miles, providing commanders with a versatile and potent strike option.
Enhancing Mobility and Crew Protection
The introduction of the AS9 is designed to provide troops with a highly mobile platform that balances lethality with survivability. Officials from the Australian Ministry of Defence have emphasized that the vehicle enables rapid displacement after firing, a tactic known as shoot-and-scoot. This capability ensures that the platform can execute fire missions and immediately relocate to avoid counter-battery fire, keeping soldiers safer behind heavy armor protection while maintaining operational tempo.
3rd Brigade Transformation
The arrival of the Huntsman is the spearhead of a dramatic transformation for the Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade. Based in Townsville, the formation is transitioning from a light infantry role into a heavy armored brigade. This structural overhaul involves the integration of various complex platforms, presenting the 3,000-strong personnel force with a significant period of adaptation.
The brigade has already taken delivery of its full complement of M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks. In addition to the tanks, the unit has received the initial batch of specialized Abrams-based combat engineering vehicles, specifically the Assault Breaching Vehicle and the Joint Assault Bridge. The remainder of these engineering platforms are slated for delivery over the next 12 to 18 months.
Future Fleet and Strategic Relevance
Looking beyond the artillery and tanks, the 3rd Brigade is preparing for further additions of heavy armor. The AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle, also produced by Hanwha, is scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2030. These tracked vehicles will be joined by Boxer 8×8 combat reconnaissance vehicles around 2028 or 2029, following the completion of deliveries to the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade.
Military leadership acknowledges that integrating this volume of advanced equipment in a short timeframe creates a steep learning curve. The shift represents a fundamental change in the soldiers’ cognitive, tactical, and physical operations.
Despite the evolving nature of modern warfare, characterized by the proliferation of drones and loitering munitions in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, Australian defense planners maintain that heavy armor retains a critical role on the contemporary battlefield. The prevailing assessment is that while technology changes, the fundamental principles of warfare, including field leadership, vehicle craft, and individual soldier skills, remain constant. The modernization of the 3rd Brigade reflects a commitment to combining these traditional military tenets with state-of-the-art protection and firepower.
