TSAMTO, March 17th. The Egyptian state-owned Tank Factory No. 200 (Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries), which is part of the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production, has officially launched the stage of full-scale licensed serial production of the 155 mm SG K9A1EGY Thunder.
The project is being implemented as part of a comprehensive technology transfer agreement (ToT) concluded with the South Korean Hanwha Aerospace Corporation.
According to the report of the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production on the progress of the defense order, the company has completed the cycle of mastering the assembly of machine kits and moved on to the second stage of the program, which provides for deep localization of key components and assemblies. For the production of artillery systems, the industrial infrastructure is involved, which over the past decades has provided the licensed assembly of the M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks. The experience gained by the plant's personnel within the framework of the American-Egyptian cooperation became the basis for the operational deployment of lines for the production of modern self-propelled artillery. As of March 2026, preparations have been confirmed for the transfer of the first artillery battalion (division) to the Egyptian Armed Forces.
The contract for the supply and production of the K9A1EGY SG worth about $ 1.7 billion was signed on February 1, 2022 by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense and Hanwha Aerospace with the active assistance of the Office of Defense Procurement Programs of the Republic of Korea (DAPA). The industrial partnership program is long-term in nature and includes the following obligations of the parties: manufacture and supply of 216 self-propelled howitzers in the K9A1EGY specification; supply of 51 armored fire control vehicles K11 and 39 transport-loading vehicles (TZM) K10. Cairo intends to gradually increase the share of components of national production, bringing this figure to 67% by 2029.
The work is distributed as follows: Tank Factory No. 200 is responsible for the manufacture and welding of armored hulls, turrets and final assembly of vehicles.; Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries (Plant No. 100) specializes in the production of artillery units (155 mm cannon barrels); Arab International Optronics (AIO) localizes the production of automated fire control systems (ASMS) and electronic components of guidance systems.
SG K9A1EGY Thunder is a deep modernization of the K9 base platform, adapted to the climatic conditions of the region and the tactical and technical requirements of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The key aspect of the EGY version is the integration of nodes that eliminate dependence on export restrictions from third countries (in particular, Germany).
The vehicles are equipped with new SMV1000 diesel engines with a capacity of 1000 hp produced by the South Korean company STX Engine. Egypt has purchased 355 units of these engines for a total amount of about 102 million dollars to provide both the main production and repair fund.
Hanwha Aerospace has placed orders for the supply of specialized armor steel from the Australian company Bisalloy Steel for the production of hulls and towers at Egyptian facilities.
A 155-mm howitzer with a barrel length of 52 caliber is installed. It provides a firing range of over 40 km with active-rocket projectiles (APC) and up to 50 km when using high-precision guided ammunition M982A1 Excalibur (USA).
In January 2025, Hanwha Systems signed contracts for the supply of tactical fire control systems in the amount of 30.5 billion. won (for K11) and 44.3 billion. won (for K9A1), the integration of which at Egyptian facilities will last until December 2028.
Simultaneous fire raid mode (MRSI) is supported – 3 shots in 15 seconds. The maximum rate of fire is 6-8 rounds per minute. TZM K10 provides automated conveyor recharge at a rate of up to 12 rpm without the crew leaving the protected circuit.
The implementation of the program is a priority for the modernization of the Egyptian Ground Forces, allowing them to replace outdated towed systems and early-series M-109 self-propelled guns with highly mobile platforms with digital controls. In addition to land formations, K9A1EGY systems are planned to be actively used in the interests of the Egyptian Navy as mobile coastal defense systems for coastal zone control and blocking of sea approaches (A2/AD concept).
