Amid growing concerns over Canada’s defense reliance on the United States, especially under the newly re-elected Trump administration, South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace has stepped forward with a comprehensive artillery package proposal that could reshape the future of the Canadian Armed Forces. The proposal includes advanced self-propelled howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), designed to offer Canada cutting-edge capabilities while reducing dependence on U.S. military suppliers.
This development arrives at a politically sensitive moment. A shift in public opinion has been emerging across Canada, where citizens and policy analysts alike have voiced increasing discomfort with the deepening defense integration with the United States. Trade tensions, protectionist rhetoric, and renewed nationalist stances from the Trump White House—including veiled threats of annexation in northern territories—have amplified calls for Canadian strategic autonomy.
This growing skepticism is particularly visible in opposition to the F-35 fighter jet program, long criticized for cost overruns, performance issues, and the symbolic weight of dependence on U.S. military tech. In this context, Hanwha’s proposal appears not only as a practical defense option but a political statement about Canada’s shifting alliances.
Hanwha Aerospace’s offer centers on two cornerstone systems: the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer and the K239 Chunmoo MLRS. These systems are intended to replace Canada’s aging 155mm towed M777 howitzers, as part of the federal Indirect Fires Modernisation (IFM) programme announced in March 2025.
The K9 Thunder, developed by South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development and mass-produced by Hanwha, is widely regarded as one of the most advanced self-propelled artillery systems in the world. Armed with a 155mm gun, it delivers 6 to 8 rounds per minute and boasts a maximum range of over 40 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles. The K9 is currently in service with multiple NATO countries, including Norway, Finland, and Poland, making it a combat-tested platform compatible with Canada’s defense ecosystem.
The K239 Chunmoo, meanwhile, offers strategic flexibility in the form of a modular rocket artillery system. It can fire a range of guided and unguided munitions across multiple calibers—130mm, 230mm, and 239mm—with ranges up to 80 kilometers. Its 8×8 wheeled chassis provides rapid mobility across diverse terrains, and its automated fire control system enables fast targeting, reducing exposure time in hostile zones.
According to Hanwha representatives, the deal could include up to 98 self-propelled howitzers and an undisclosed number of Chunmoo launchers, potentially exceeding $1 billion CAD depending on configuration and support equipment. This would mark one of the most significant artillery acquisitions in Canadian history.
What truly differentiates Hanwha’s bid is its emphasis on domestic industrial participation. Company officials have floated the possibility of building maintenance depots and even manufacturing centers on Canadian soil. This move is designed to appeal to federal and provincial governments looking to stimulate the economy, create skilled jobs, and foster technological independence.
South Korean defense officials, in statements to the CBC, underscored the importance of bilateral defense cooperation not just as a procurement issue but as a partnership opportunity. “Canada can benefit from not only acquiring world-class artillery platforms but also developing the industrial backbone to support them domestically,” one official noted.
This industrial promise aligns well with current Canadian defense procurement priorities, which place heavy emphasis on technology transfer, local economic benefits, and lifecycle sustainability. In contrast, U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) packages have often been criticized for limiting domestic participation and offering rigid terms on technology sharing.
Canada’s military has already expressed strong interest in the U.S.-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), with a CAD 5 billion package in the works through the FMS program. This proposed acquisition includes launchers, rockets, fire control systems, and support infrastructure.
However, the Chunmoo offers a credible alternative. While HIMARS fires only a limited range of munitions—primarily the 227mm GMLRS and 610mm ATACMS—the Chunmoo system is compatible with a wider variety of calibers, making it potentially more versatile. Additionally, Chunmoo’s modular launch pods and automated systems reduce logistical complexity and enhance reload speed in battlefield scenarios.
Some analysts argue that adopting Chunmoo alongside or instead of HIMARS could help Canada avoid over-reliance on American weapon systems, a growing concern in political circles. The recent U.S. rhetoric under Trump’s renewed leadership has further fueled calls for diversification of strategic suppliers.
“HIMARS is battle-proven, no doubt,” says Dr. Elaine Forrest, a defense policy expert at Queen’s University. “But from a strategic autonomy and cost-benefit standpoint, Chunmoo deserves serious consideration.”
The stakes of this procurement go far beyond operational needs. It is becoming a litmus test for Canada’s broader defense and foreign policy orientation.
Under the Trump administration, Washington has increased its transactional approach to alliances, often criticizing NATO members for insufficient defense spending and suggesting conditionality for mutual defense commitments. As a result, many Canadian policymakers are rethinking long-held assumptions about U.S. support.
“We can no longer treat U.S. partnership as an immutable constant,” says MP Renée Laviolette, a member of the Commons Standing Committee on National Defence. “We need to diversify our partnerships and look to allies like South Korea, who offer not just equipment, but respect and reciprocity.”
Indeed, South Korea’s growing presence in global defense markets has not gone unnoticed. Over the past five years, Hanwha has signed deals with Australia, Poland, Egypt, and several European countries. Its reputation as a reliable partner offering performance-proven systems and cooperative industrial frameworks stands in stark contrast to recent frustrations with U.S. procurement practices.
The IFM programme is not simply a shopping list. It represents an evolving vision of what the Canadian military should be: nimble, responsive, and strategically independent. With Arctic sovereignty challenges, hybrid threats, and a changing geopolitical climate, the question is no longer just what weapons Canada buys, but from whom and on what terms.
Hanwha’s dual proposal for artillery and future armored vehicles (in a separate bid) positions South Korea as more than a supplier—it seeks to become a cornerstone of Canada’s defense ecosystem. This is especially pertinent as Canada evaluates its place within NATO, NORAD, and other multilateral frameworks increasingly under strain.
While final decisions on the IFM procurement are months away, insiders suggest that the government is closely watching public opinion, particularly in regions with significant defense manufacturing potential. Provincial leaders in Ontario and Quebec have reportedly expressed interest in hosting Hanwha-affiliated facilities, viewing them as job creators and innovation hubs.
Canada stands at a defense crossroads. Hanwha Aerospace’s ambitious offer is not just a weapons deal—it is an invitation to rethink national defense from a standpoint of autonomy, economy, and alliance diversification. As debates continue over the F-35, HIMARS, and other major purchases, the decision on artillery systems could become a symbolic and substantive milestone in redefining Canada’s defense identity.
If Ottawa accepts the Hanwha package, it may mark the beginning of a broader pivot toward Asian and European suppliers and a subtle but significant step away from decades of U.S.-centric procurement. In doing so, Canada would be sending a clear signal: that defense policy must serve national interest first—and that partnership, not dependence, is the new standard for modern military alliances.
