Hanwha Aerospace wins $996 mil. order to supply 54 K9 howitzers to Romania

Hanwha Aerospace's K9 self-propelled howitzer, right, and K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (ARV), are part of the defense firm's supply contract deal with Romania. Courtesy of Hanwha Aerospace

Hanwha Aerospace, one of Korea's leading aerospace and defense companies, said Wednesday that it secured a 1.38 trillion won ($996 million) arms export contract from Romania.

The defense company signed the supply contract with the defense ministry of Romania on Tuesday local time, agreeing to provide 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 36 K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (ARVs), as well as other military equipment.

The deal is Romania's largest arms acquisition deal in seven years.

Hanwha Aerospace won the contract by beating other competitors from NATO member countries, such as Germany's PzH 2000 and Turkey's T-155 Fırtına self-propelled howitzer.

With this deal, Romania has become the 10th country to operate the K9 self-propelled howitzer. So far, 9 countries — including South Korea, Australia, Egypt, India, Norway, Estonia, Turkey, Poland, and Finland — have adopted the K9, with the cumulative export volume surpassing 13 trillion won.

This deal has also increased the number of NATO member countries that have adopted the K9 self-propelled howitzer to six, solidifing its position as one of the best-selling self-propelled howitzers worldwide.

In addition to the K9 and K10, the contract includes the export of wheeled reconnaissance and meteorological observation equipment, along with ammunition and other artillery-related components.

By collaborating with local firms in Romania, Hanwha Aerospace said the delivery will start from 2027.

Since marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between South Korea and Romania in 2023, the two countries have actively engaged in high-level exchanges. The defense sector, in particular, has played a key role in strengthening their amicable bilateral relations.

This strengthened relationship is evidenced by several notable mutual visits, including Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis's visit to South Korea in April, reciprocal visits by both countries' prime ministers, and three visits by Romania's defense minister Angel Tilvar.

In June, South Korea's defense minister Shin Won-sik and Seok Jong-gun, Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) visited Romania to support the negotiation of this arms export deal with Hanwha Aerospace.

Shin became the first South Korean defense minister to visit Romania, where he held talks with his Romanian counterpart, Tilvar. During these talks, the Romanian side officially announced their decision to adopt the K9 howitzer.

DAPA welcomed the signing of the deal.

"Korea anticipates further cooperation with Romania in areas, including the Redback infantry fighting vehicle, K2 main battle tank, and other ground weapon systems, as well as air defense and guided missile projects. DAPA will continue to support domestic defense companies' exports," Minister of DAPA Seok said.

A Hanwha Aerospace official added, "The K9 howitzer has become a symbol of South Korea's defense industry, protecting countries worldwide. The company will do its utmost efforts to create another global hit exports with the Redback contract."