{
  "id": "k9-thunder",
  "name": "K9 Thunder",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "KOR",
  "category": "155 mm self-propelled howitzer",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 1999,
  "operators": [
    "AUS",
    "ESP",
    "EST",
    "FIN",
    "IND",
    "KOR",
    "NOR",
    "POL",
    "TUR"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 9,
  "summary": "The can fire its first round within 30 seconds from the moment it first receives firing information from the Fire Direction Center (FDC) while in emplaced situation. While moving, it can fire after 60 seconds.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Hanwha Land Systems",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 5,
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Emplacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "30 seconds",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Displacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "30 seconds",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.4,
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 46.3,
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "MTU MT 881 Ka-500",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 1000,
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 360,
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 67,
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth, without Preparation",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.5 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The hull has a maximum thickness of 19 mm and is built from steel armor. This provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire and HE 155 mm projectile fragments.",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Steel Armor",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 × roof mounted 12.7 mm M2 HB Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 40,
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "HE",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "INA",
        "Warhead": "6.62 kg of cast TNT or 6.985 kg of Composition B, the former produces approximately 1,950 fragments "
      },
      "range_km": 18,
      "qty": "48 rounds"
    },
    {
      "name": "HE ER FB BB",
      "role": "155 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "928 m/s"
      },
      "range_km": 40,
      "qty": "48 rounds"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "K9A1",
      "text": "The K9A1 uses the same armament as the K9 thunder but is fitted with improved mission system components with a windows based operational system. An auxiliary power unit (APU) also helps to optimize operational range and ",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "K9 Vajra-T",
      "text": "The K9 Vajra-T is the Indian manufactured variant of the K9 and is in service with the Indian Army, with 50% of its components are manufactured in India.",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "AS9 Huntsman",
      "text": "The AS9 Huntsman is an Australian version of the South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzer.",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "K10",
      "text": "The K10 is an ammunition resupply vehicle designed to extend the length of time that an SPH can provide fire support during combat.",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "K77",
      "text": "The K77 FDCV is designed to provide a K9 battery with a modern command-and-control (C2) vehicle to better co-ordinate fire missions and improve the integration of a battery within an armoured unit.",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Krab",
      "text": "The Krab is an SPH developed in Poland with the assistance of multiple companies from around the world.",
      "src": [
        "weg-k9-thunder"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "sph",
  "image": {
    "file": "k9-thunder.jpg",
    "thumb": "k9-thunder-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "권순삼, 국방시민연대 (Defense Citizen Network)",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0 kr",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:K-9thunder.jpg",
    "title": "File:K-9thunder.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 2.0 kr)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/k9-thunder.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-k9-thunder": {
      "title": "K9 Thunder South Korean 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/K9_Thunder_South_Korean_155mm_Self-Propelled_Howitzer",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}