Press Release
Contact: Dean Lockwood, Weapons Systems Analyst
Phone: (203) 426-0800
Fax: (203) 426-1964
Web site: www.forecastinternational.com
E-mail: dean.lockwood@forecast1.com
Forecast International, Inc.
22 Commerce Rd. Newtown, CT 06470 USA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Samsung Techwin K9 Thunder Continues to Drive the
Self-Propelled Artillery Market
NEWTOWN, Conn. (May 3, 2006) ― The international market for self-propelled artillery remains a
highly competitive and dynamic environment. In its annual analysis "The
World Market for Self-Propelled Artillery Systems" the Forecast
International Weapons Group expects the market will produce over 4,500
self-propelled artillery systems, worth about $14.03 billion, through 2015.
Dean Lockwood, a weapons systems analyst at Forecast
International, notes that the market reflects three design factions. Most
armies rely on tried-and-true older designs, such as the classic BAE Systems
Land & Armaments (formerly United Defense LP) M109 series. Newer designs
tend to borrow liberally from this benchmark design. According to Lockwood,
“Reflecting the basic design concept of the M109 style of self-propelled
howitzer, the Samsung Techwin K9 Thunder program continues to stand out as the
clear market leader.” We expect the K9 Thunder (along with its licensed TUSpH
Storm program in Turkey) will account for 21.76 percent of all self-propelled
howitzer production worldwide, worth a commanding 31.02 percent of the market,
through 2015.
Competing with the M109-style design is the emerging class
of wheeled self-propelled artillery designs, optimized for the rapidly
deployable medium force option. Designs such as the General Dynamics Land
Systems Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS) and the Giat Industries CAESAR offer
the advantages of lighter weight and enhanced mobility, as well as lower
production and maintenance costs. Lockwood notes that, “Over the past five
years, our forecast regarding the combined market share of wheeled designs has
doubled.” We now expect the wheeled systems will account for 7.64 percent of
all new production, worth 8.37 percent of the market, through 2015.
At the extreme high end of the market, we find the truly
state-of-the-art systems, notably the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Panzerhaubitze 2000
and the Mitsubishi Type 99, which command correspondingly high-end unit prices.
In terms of forecast production, both the PzH 2000 and the Type 99 remain
relatively minor players, accounting for only 6.26 percent and 3.26 percent,
respectively, of all new production through 2015. Yet, according to Lockwood,
“These programs continue to be significant factors in terms of market value.”
Through 2015, we expect the PzH 2000 will account for 11.44 percent of the
total market value; the Type 99 will maintain a market value share of 9.58
percent during that period.
Despite the uncertainties of the post-Cold War world, new
threat scenarios, and transformational military doctrines, conventional tube
artillery continues to offer an unmatched capability to reliably deliver
accurate and effective fire under all conditions -- when and where the
infantryman needs it.
Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market
Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and
military electronics. Based in Newtown, CT, USA, Forecast International
specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments utilized by
strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and
governments worldwide. To arrange an interview with Forecast
International’s analysts, please contact Monty Nebinger (203-426-0800), monty.nebinger@forecast1.com