South Korean firm Hanwha Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with Romania over the supply of 54 K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH) and 36 K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (ARV). Signed on 9th July by Hanwha Aerospace and the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, the contract also includes ammunition and support vehicles both on tracks and wheels. The contract is valued at about $1 billion, the firm said, as South Korea’s defence industry continues its push into the NATO market.
“This is a remarkable deal that can further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries,” Jaeil Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said in the company’s statement.
The vehicles will be mostly produced in Romania by local companies, and deliveries are set to take place in the next five years. The first artillery systems are expected in Romania by early 2027.
“Hanwha Aerospace is committed to maximising benefits to the Romanian defence industry through various types of localisation programs, which include local production of defence equipment, local employment, technology transfer, and the establishment of a Center of Excellence for MRO operations in a new greenfield facility in Romania,” said Peter Bae, Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe in a statement. He added that Romania is expected to become a hub for Hanwha Aerospace’s land department in Europe.
“Romanian industry’s inclusion in Hanwha Aerospace’s broad global supply chains is one of the potential benefits Romania could take from the collaboration,” Bae said.
Romania has become the 10th customer nation operating the 155mm/52-calibre K9 SPH. Among the NATO members, Romania is the sixth K9 user nation following Türkiye, Poland, Norway, Finland and Estonia. Following Norway and Australia, Romania will also be the third global operator of the K10, which enables a fully automated re-supplying capability to maximise the efficiency of artillery forces, the company said.
The South Korean firm emphasized the complementary nature of the Redback and K9, saying that the “Redback will meet the Romanian Army’s operational needs in response to the emerging threats and future battlefield environment. A high level of commonality between the K9 and Redback in terms of powertrain and chassis is expected to increase the efficiency of operation, production, and maintenance of both systems.”
Hanwha Aerospace announced the deal with Romania on the second day of the NATO summit in Washington. During the conference, North Atlantic Treaty countries discussed common threats and ways to counter them.
Team BharatShakti
