MSPO 2025: South Korean Hyundai WIA 105mm howitzer offers shoot and scoot firepower for rapid reaction units.

According to information collected by Army Recognition at MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, Hyundai WIA presented its new 105mm light self-propelled howitzer, a highly mobile artillery system designed for rapid-deployment forces and airborne operations. This innovative system reflects South Korea’s growing efforts to position its defense industry as a competitive supplier of lightweight artillery solutions tailored for both domestic use and international markets, particularly among nations seeking affordable and air-transportable firepower.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Hyundai WIA’s 105mm light self-propelled howitzer is a 7-ton air-transportable system capable of firing up to 18 km with rapid shoot-and-scoot capability, automated gun laying, and GPS/INS guidance, designed to provide mobile artillery support for airborne and rapid reaction forces (Picture source: Army Recognition Group).

The 105mm self-propelled howitzer showcased by Hyundai WIA is based on the K351 and K152 light tactical vehicles manufactured by Kia, offering a compact and agile platform with a combat weight of just 7 tons. Its gun, integrated on a reinforced chassis, delivers a firing range of 14.7 km with standard ammunition and up to 18 km with rocket-assisted projectiles. The vehicle requires only two operators, highlighting its suitability for rapid shoot-and-scoot tactics where artillery must engage and relocate within minutes to avoid counter-battery fire. Automated gun laying, GPS/INS navigation, and a modern vehicle management system further ensure accurate fire support while minimizing crew workload.

The artillery battery concept unveiled at MSPO includes three core vehicles: the artillery platform itself, a fire command vehicle, and an ammunition resupply vehicle. The fire command variant, based on the K152, carries four operators and integrates the Battalion Tactical Command System, while the ammunition vehicle on the K351 chassis can transport up to 40 rounds. Together, these elements create a highly flexible, modular, and lightweight artillery battery capable of being airlifted by medium transport helicopters such as the CH-47 Chinook, an important feature for expeditionary operations.

The system is optimized for light infantry brigades, rapid reaction forces, and airborne units that require organic indirect fire support without relying on heavy tracked artillery. The howitzer’s traverse of ±270° and elevation range from –5° to +65° provide versatility in both direct and indirect fire roles. Its ability to fire up to 10 rounds per minute in rapid mode, with sustained rates of 3 rounds per minute, offers concentrated firepower for suppressing enemy positions or supporting maneuvering infantry.

The unveiling of this howitzer at MSPO 2025 underlines South Korea’s broader geopolitical strategy to expand its footprint in the European defense market, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. Poland’s own large-scale artillery modernization programs and its recent acquisitions of South Korean K9 Thunder howitzers and K2 Black Panther tanks illustrate the strong military-technical partnership between Warsaw and Seoul. The lightweight 105mm system could therefore find interest not only in Poland but also in allied nations seeking cost-effective artillery that can complement heavier systems already in service.

With increasing demand for expeditionary artillery solutions capable of operating in rough terrains and contested environments, Hyundai WIA’s 105mm light self-propelled howitzer positions itself as a compelling alternative for forces requiring mobility, firepower, and interoperability with modern command and control networks. Its appearance at MSPO 2025 reflects both South Korea’s growing defense industrial ambitions and the continuing shift of NATO allies toward diversified artillery solutions suited for high-intensity and hybrid warfare scenarios.