China and South Korea go head to head at IDEX in the self-propelled howitzer market

The weapon is playing a growing role in conflicts between official and non-state forces, particularly in the Middle East

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South Korea’s K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers now come with South Korean engines. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:30pm, 19 Feb 2025Updated: 12:23pm, 21 Feb 2025

Competition between China and South Korea is heating up for sales of self-propelled howitzers, with defence contractors from both countries putting their latest versions front and centre at one of the world’s biggest weapons shows.

China’s Norinco is offering the public a look at its SH16A 155mm self-propelled howitzer at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi this week.

The event in the United Arab Emirates is the first time the howitzer has gone on show outside China since its debut at the Zhuhai Airshow in November.

A few metres away, South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace is showing the latest version of its K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer fitted with a South Korean engine for the first time. Earlier models had German engines.

Self-propelled howitzers are playing a bigger role in conflicts between official and non-state forces, particularly in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia shelled Iran-backed Houthi rebels with the weapons, including Norinco’s PLZ-45, during the Yemeni civil war in 2015.

Israel has also reportedly used American M109 self-propelled howitzers against Hamas during the war in Gaza.