In a significant development for Romania’s defense capabilities, Hanwha Defense has unveiled plans to establish a regional hub in the country aimed at bolstering the production, sustainment, and repair of the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. This initiative comes on the heels of the South Korean defense manufacturer’s acceptance of a contract to manufacture 54 K9 vehicles and 36 K10 ammunition resupply variants for the Romanian armed forces, set to commence in 2024.
The proposed facility is slated to be constructed in Dâmbovița County, pending government approval, with construction anticipated to span two years starting in the first quarter of 2026. The project will be executed in partnership with notable defense contractors including Iveco and Pro Optica. This timeline aligns with the expected arrival of Romania’s initial shipment of 18 K9 howitzers and 12 K10 support vehicles directly from South Korea.
Once operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 2,000 jobs, representing a substantial boost to the local economy and enhancing Romania’s position within NATO. The hub will not only focus on the K9 and K10 vehicles but will also extend its support to other Hanwha products that are procured by Romania’s allies, reflecting a broader commitment to fortifying regional defense infrastructures.
Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defense, expressed confidence in the project’s feasibility during a meeting with Romanian reporters, stating, “Our priority is the delivery of the K9 and K10… but we already have several such vehicles in NATO and Europe, so the idea is to be able to produce components, to be able to do maintenance and repairs here in Romania.” He emphasized that these goals can be achieved in a relatively short timeframe.
According to Romania’s state news agency Agerpres, the K9 commitment by Hanwha Defense will be fulfilled in three distinct batches, allowing for a gradual shift of manufacturing responsibilities to Romania. This local involvement will also include extensive collaboration with local suppliers, enhancing the domestic defense manufacturing landscape.
The acquisition of K9 Thunder howitzers will position Romania as the 10th country globally to operate this advanced 155-millimeter weapon system and the sixth NATO member to integrate such capabilities into its military arsenal. Furthermore, Romania will emerge as the third global operator of the K10 logistics support vehicles, signaling a notable expansion of its military capabilities in line with NATO standards.
