Hanwha Group, a prominent South Korean defense contractor, plans to construct an armaments facility in Romania’s south-central Dâmbovița County over the next two years. The aim is for this site to evolve into a central point for system support, maintenance, and repair services in the region.
Michael Coulter, the CEO of Hanwha Global Defense, stated this information when he met with Romanian reporters. The executive highlighted, “While continuing our exports, we aim for localized operations within key strategic regions.” This quote has been shared by a regional news outlet.
Agerpres
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Moreover, Coulter indicated that he views Romania as a central point for European activities.
“In Romania, there is an ongoing requirement for industrial consolidation, and our efforts are concentrated on providing K9 and K10 howitzers. Currently, we are in the midst of establishing a facility where these systems will be manufactured. Initially, deliveries will occur promptly to address the immediate demand; however, gradually, the manufacturing of both the K9 and K10 units will shift to Romania,” he stated.
He stated that “steps are being taken to speed up the procedure” and predicted that the factory’s construction would be finished inside two years, set to commence in the initial three months of the coming year.
The South Korean firm has already launched
an office in Bucharest
, and upon commencement of the factory’s construction, it will partner with Romanian firms like Pro Optica and Iveco. The facility will be constructed entirely anew in Dâmbovița, and the company is currently working on acquiring all required approvals.
In July 2024, Hanwha Aerospace entered into an agreement with
a contract
In collaboration with Romania’s Ministry of Defense, the deal involves supplying 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers along with 36 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles. According to the terms of this contract, the firm will provide these units incrementally across the coming half-decade, starting from early 2027. The majority of these systems will undergo assembly within Romania itself, benefiting significantly from the contributions made by domestic contractors.
“Delivering K9 and K10 units is our main focus as per the accord with the Romanian authorities; however, these systems are not new to NATO and European countries. Our aim is to manufacture parts, perform upkeep, and execute servicing for these vehicles within Romania itself. I think accomplishing this should happen relatively quickly,” stated Coulter.
He reckoned that the Romanian factory might generate as many as 2,000 positions, contingent upon the contracts secured. Experts from Romania could get trained in South Korea or benefit from sessions led by instructors from there.
The initial shipment comprising 18 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 12 K10 armored resupply vehicles will come directly from South Korea. Meanwhile, construction of the manufacturing plant in Romania will proceed concurrently, as mentioned.
(Photo credit: Hanwha Aerospace on Facebook)
