Team Thunder expands with Lockheed Martin
Hanwha Defense has expanded its UK industry team offering the K9A2 SPH as a solution for the British Army's Mobile Fires Platform requirement. (Photo: Hanwha Defense)
South Korea-based Hanwha Defense expands its UK industry team as it hunts for the Mobile Fires Platform contract.
Lockheed Martin UK has joined the Hanwha Defense-led Team Thunder, which is proposing the K9A2 self-propelled howitzer (SPH) as a UK-manufactured solution for the British Army’s Mobile Fires Platform requirement to replace the AS90 tracked 155mm system.
Team Thunder also comprises Horstman Defence Systems, Leonardo UK, Pearson Engineering and Soucy Defense.
‘The advanced version will be an upgrade of the existing 155mm/52-calibre K9A1 Self-Propelled Howitzer, as it is to feature improved lethality, mobility and survivability,’ Hanwha Defense noted in a statement.
Team Thunder is likely to face competition, for example from Rheinmetall with a 155mm SPH based on its new RMMV HX3 10x10 chassis. Other possibilities include BAE Systems with an Archer SPH mounted on a Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles HX2 8x8 truck chassis; and a wheeled SPH from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann mounted on a Boxer 8x8 armoured vehicle chassis.
Of the main contenders for MFP, only Hanwha has put its faith in a tracked solution with a high level of automation that cuts the crew requirement from five to three people.
Under MFP, the British Army aims to acquire 116 SPHs. An RfP is expected to be issued this year with a contract award anticipated in 2025.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![British Army programme cuts could continue in 2025]()
British Army programme cuts could continue in 2025
The six-month old Labour leadership in the UK has already made cuts and army programmes could be on the chopping block in 2025. Where might the axe fall?
-
![NZ begins modernisation of its tactical vehicle fleet]()
NZ begins modernisation of its tactical vehicle fleet
VAMTAC vehicles are expected to replace one-quarter of New Zealand’s Pinzgauers and Unimogs.
-
![BAE Systems receives $656 million contract for more Bradley vehicles]()
BAE Systems receives $656 million contract for more Bradley vehicles
BAE Systems has been contracted to install modifications on older versions of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) creating the M2A4 and M7A4 and keeping the platform in service until 2050.
-
![Italy signs $784 million deal for tactical and logistic trucks]()
Italy signs $784 million deal for tactical and logistic trucks
The contract is for the supply of a variety of military logistic platforms equipped with tactical cabins and based on the new range of IDV SMR6 trucks (Standard Military Range), which includes 4×4, 8×8 and 10x10 variants.
-
![Poland declares capability for Wisła medium-range air defence system]()
Poland declares capability for Wisła medium-range air defence system
Poland has been investing heavily in new defence equipment, including billions-of-dollars in air defence systems such as Narew and Wisła to provide multi-tier coverage, as well as in C2 systems such as IBCS.
