US Army has chosen 4 best SAUs in the world and announced a competition for M109 Paladin

The American army selected the four best self -propelled artillery installations in the world and opened a competition for replacement of the M109 Paladin. The list of contestants for the new system has not suddenly appeared Caesar and PZH 2000. And the Archer system has a unique opportunity. The Command of the United States Land Forces has long been looking for a replacement of the M109 SAU, which has been in service since 1963.

To demonstrate the SAU, contracts were provided to the American representative offices of Rheinmetall, Bae Boons, Hanwha Defense, Elbit Systems, and General Dynamics Land Systems. This is written by the American portal Executivegov, which covers information about the state contracts. Demonstration tests should begin in November 2024 and last until the end of the year. The US Army has already chosen the best, in her opinion, SAU in the world.

In this case, the composition of the contestants is slightly different from what was 2020. According to the results of the demonstration, a decision will be made on a further competitive assessment that "can lead to a future production contract. " There are no KNDS among these companies, although it has an American unit. The start of the demonstration in a few weeks and means only available samples.

With regard to Korean Hanwha Defense, the minimum is the current world bestseller K9, which can also be presented in K9A2 with a recharging machine. Perhaps on a wheelway, but so far, only a large -scale model of this option has been known. Bae Bors - the only SAU in the asset of the company - is Archer who has not been interested in anyone for its automated revolution for a long time.

And only in 2023 did it receive an additional order from Sweden and the first export contract from the United Kingdom (but this is a temporary decision for obtaining the ordered RCH 155). And this is the only SAU of all possible contestants who gained real combat experience in Ukraine. As for Elbit Systems, there are not many options. The Atmos once conquered the African market, and the first NATO operator was Denmark, who ordered them after all Caesar had transferred to Ukraine.

But there is another option that will show Rheinmetall. The Rheinmetall does not completely have its SAU, but the German concern has promoted its new development in the US market - Artiller Truck Interface, which is the result of cooperation with Elbit. It is a SAU wheel on the German platform RMMV (RheinMetall Man Militation Vehicles) HX, which uses an artillery department from Israeli developers and a 52 caliber trunk similar to the fact that PZH 2000 (made by Rheinmetall).

At the same time, Rheinmetall also has a M109-52 project, which is implemented with Bae Systems. And it provides a very pragmatic option for installing a new barrel 52 caliber in M109A7. And this is really the fastest of all options for updating the artillery components of the US Army. But there is a question about what General Dynamics Land Systems will come to the demonstration. This company does not have serial SAU in the asset.