UAE, 대한민국과 "K-9 자주포" 현지생산에 합의

Hanwha Aerospace and the UAE's Generation 5 Holding have agreed to proceed with the local production of K-9 self-propelled howitzers targeting the Middle Eastern market. The UAE had previously selected the K-9 for its self-propelled howitzer project in 2019, but the project fell through due to a blockade of power pack supplies from Germany; thus, this contract marks a renewed attempt after seven years. The UAE government chose the private startup Generation 5 as a partner rather than the state-owned conglomerate EDGE Group, a move analyzed as an attempt to bypass bureaucratic decision-making structures and accelerate project implementation. The UAE currently operates approximately 200 older self-propelled howitzers of three types: the M109 (around 80 units), G6 Rhino (around 70 units), and AUF1 (around 40 units), and there is speculation that the entire fleet will be replaced with K-9s. Amidst the threat to control of the Strait of Hormuz due to the potential conflict with Iran, a strategy to deploy the K-9 as coastal artillery to counter the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' Mosquito Fleet is also being discussed. 📌 Key Details Contracting Parties: Hanwha Aerospace × Generation 5 Holding (UAE private defense company) Background: Project fell through in 2019 following the final selection of the K-9 due to the blocking of German power pack supply — Re-pursued after 7 years UAE Current Forces: Approximately 200 units of three types of older self-propelled howitzers, including M109 (over 80 units), G6 Rhino (over 70 units), and AUF1 (over 40 units) Strategic Significance: Potential to counter Iran's Mosquito Fleet by operating coastal artillery near the Strait of Hormuz Generation 5 Background: Actively adopting new technologies, such as laser drone air defense cooperation with Brazil's Embraer and Australia's EOS 📰 Source: Defence Industry Europe (June 19, 2026)