The Romanian Ministry of National Defence plans to purchase over 250 new infantry fighting vehicles, with the tender likely to be announced in the second half of this year. Several defence companies have expressed their interest in this procurement program, including Hanwha Aerospace, offering its state-of-the-art infantry fighting vehicle, Redback.
“It has already been contracted by Australia, and we see growing interest from many countries. Redback uses state-of-the-art technologies, making it one of the best vehicles in its class currently available on the market,” Peter Bae, Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, told Defence Industry Europe during the BSDA exhibition.
According to Peter Bae, Hanwha is ready to establish deep industry cooperation with Romanian defence companies. A crucial part of the company’s proposal includes establishing a production facility together with an MRO centre for the Redback vehicle in Romania and integrating Romanian enterprises into the vehicle’s global supply chain.
“Our proposal for Romania is comprehensive. It includes the production and delivery of infantry fighting vehicles with long-term operational support and technological cooperation. In addition, the establishment of an MRO centre for land systems, including the Redback vehicle, in Romania will create numerous jobs and contribute to the technological development of the Romanian defence industry,” said Peter Bae.
Hanwha also sees potential for integrating Romanian industry into the Redback vehicle supply chain for other export opportunities.
“Romanian industry could become a key part of Hanwha’s European production and maintenance & repair network. We are also open to technological cooperation on other products like the K239 Chunmoo (Multi Rocket Launcher System). We are currently working with several Northern & Eastern European countries,” said Peter Bae.
Hanwha’s expansion plans in Romania
“Our company is waiting for the final announcement of the tender to supply 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 36 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, together with variant vehicles, to the Romanian Armed Forces. As part of this program, Hanwha will establish an artillery systems production facility in Romania,” said Peter Bae.
However, the contract between the Romanian Ministry of National Defence and Hanwha has not yet been signed. Peter Bae expects the entire tender process and the contract to be finalized in the coming months. The first batch of K9 artillery systems—consisting of 18 guns—will be produced at Hanwha’s facility in South Korea, with the remaining 36 howitzers to be produced in Romania.
“We are set to build a completely new production facility, which is essential to the success of this program, and we are determined to fulfill this crucial point of our offer. Moreover, we see the possibility of involving many Romanian local companies in this program. Once the agreement is signed, we will immediately commence the project’s execution,” said Peter Bae.
The K9 self-propelled howitzer will become the most popular artillery system on NATO’s eastern flank, already operated by Poland and Estonia. Romania will be the third country in Central-Eastern Europe to use this artillery system, alongside Norway and Finland.
“Hanwha intends to further strengthen its footprint in the region. We are in the process of establishing a logistics hub in Poland. At the same time, we are preparing to transfer the full production technology of the K9PL artillery system to the Polish defence industry,” stated Peter Bae.
