Hanwha Aerospace to export $938mn K9 howitzer to Romania

Hanwha Aerospace Co., South Korea’s major aerospace and defense system developer, signed a 1.3 trillion won ($938 million) contract to supply its K9 self-propelled howitzers to Romania, the company said on Wednesday. 

Hanwha Aerospace will deliver 54 units of its K9 howitzers and 36 units of its K10 ammunition resupply vehicles (ARVs) to the country in Eastern Europe from 2027.

The company beat Germany's PzH5000 and Turkey’s BMC T-155 artillery weapon systems. 

This is the first howitzer acquisition for the country, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), reflecting growing concerns about geopolitical risks since Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

Of the 10 countries deploying K9 howitzers, Eastern European countries such as Poland, Estonia, and Turkiye, have been active in acquiring the Korean weapon system.

Building on this success, Hanwha Aerospace plans to pursue Romania's infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) project with its Redback armored vehicle.

The Redback, chosen by the Australian military after rigorous testing, shares its power system with the K9, offering logistical advantages for the Romanian armed forces.

Write to Woo-Sub Kim at duter@hankyung.com