RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA Liaison Letter 2024 / 2025 Edition 2 I was disappointed to see in the 107 Battery section in South Vietnam I was missing. I took over from George Salmon in July and was BC until I RTA in February. Like so many at our OLD and BOLD lunches I no longer understand so much of what is now current and in many cases I disagree so perhaps it is time for me to hang up my spurs and disappear into the twilight. I hope you continue as editor as you are a touch of realism in some cases. That said please delete me from the mailing list. My best wishes and thanks to you, Keith Hall COL (Hon) K Hall (Retd), Former CC Northern Region Editor. Thank you for writing and your generous words. I understand how you feel. I will correct the omission in the Cannonball Supplement regarding your appointment as Battery Commander. Appreciated Feedback I hope that you are still in the army and working efficiently. Some of us grow old and are not quite so flexible or efficient. I enjoy the Liaison Letter. COL Bob McEvoy (Retd) Former DARTY Editor. Many thanks. I wish you well with your plans for your pending air defence commemorations and related events. 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War I act as the unofficial communications officer for the old 102 Field Battery and 12 Field Regiment in Vietnam. I served at Coral with Scrubber Ahearn who was my GPO. I have just received the Liaison Letter. Congratulations on another professional and interesting edition. I note the article RAA War in South Vietnam Bravery Decorations, and the references to the Military Medal awarded to 215284 Sergeant John Stephens, and the MID awarded to 1410746 Sergeant Lindsay Arthur Elgar, both for their actions at FSPB Coral. I request permission to reproduce these in a communication to my fellow 102 Field Battery Vietnam members for their information. Most of us are aware of these two awards, but it would be timely for us to be reminded of just what happened to justify the recognition. Trevor Bryant Editor. You are welcome to reproduce part of any Liaison Letter; all I ask is you acknowledge the source. First Huntsman artillery systems shown off in Australian camouflage By Jr Ng -March 7, 2025, Asian Military Review Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) has formally unveiled the first LAND 8116 programme AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle (AARV) in Australian Army Auscam markings at its Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) facility on 27 February. The first batch of vehicles, comprising two AS9 SPHs and one AS10 AARV arrived in Australia in December 2024. The remaining vehicles ordered under LAND 8116 are being produced at the H- ACE facility with significant content from domestic industry. According to HDA, Australian supply chain partners included Elphinstone, Kongsberg Defence Australia, CBG Systems, Penguin Composites, HIFraser, MMCLD, Bisalloy Steel, AME, Safran Electronics and Defence Australasia, Sigma Bravo, Thales Australia, Axalta and Tei. “We are excited to have the first vehicles here in Australia as we prepare to deliver this capability to the Australian Army,” said Acting HDA Managing Director Dean Michie. “Production of the hulls and turrets is already taking place at Elphinstone in northern Tasmania, and our production line here at the H-ACE has also begun work,” he added. The Australian DoD awarded a A$1 billion contract to HDA in 2021 to supply 30 AS9 155 mm SPHs and 15 AS10 AARVs under the Land 8116 Phase 1 programme. The first three systems were manufactured at Hanwha’s production plant in Changwon, South Korea while the remaining 28 AS9 SPHs and 14 AS10 AARVs will be locally manufactured in Australia by HDA at the H-ACE facility from 2024. Deliveries of Australian-made systems are expected to commence from 2025. The AS9 is based on Hanwha Aerospace’s K9 Thunder SPH, which is already in service with the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) as well as acquired by nine international operators. The Australian Army earlier performed a successful test-firing of the AS9 in South Korea in July 2023, which validated the AS9’s automated loading capabilities and its compatibility with Australian-manufactured 155 mm munitions.