South Korea has produced the first homegrown engine for the country's K9 self-propelled howitzer after a yearslong development project, the state arms procurement agency said Friday. The move comes after the country began the 32.16 billion-won (US$24.5 million) project in 2021, involving STX Engine Co., Hanwha Aerospace Co. and others, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on foreign defense parts, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The K9, produced by Hanwha Aerospace, has been powered by a German MTU engine, built by STX Engine under a license. DAPA said the homegrown engine will be more cost efficient and have improved performance. It is also expected to help efforts to export the K9 as it would not need to undergo extra approval procedures required for components of foreign origin. The K9 has been exported to various countries, including Australia, Egypt, India, Norway and Poland. Source: Yonhap News Agency