Overview
- Thirty gunners from the 4th Regiment fired Australian-made AS9 Huntsman howitzers at Puckapunyal, marking the conclusion of a six-week operator course on June 4, 2026.
- The AS9 is a tracked, automated 155 mm system that can reach roughly 40 km with extended-range rounds and uses automated gun-laying to speed aim and fire procedures.
- Crews described the system as more responsive than towed artillery because it can drive into position, lay itself, fire, and relocate rapidly to reduce exposure to counterbattery detection.
- Hanwha Defense Australia manufactures the Huntsman in Geelong under a sovereign-industry arrangement and defence leaders credit coordinated work by the Army, CASG and industry for the compressed production-to-fielding timeline.
- Further integration, sustainment and fleet expansion remain under way and the trial could shape faster acquisition paths and onshore maintenance that aim to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.