Hanwha, a South Korean weapons manufacturer, plans to establish a production facility in southern Romania.
Hanwha Group, a significant South Korean arms manufacturer, announce plans to establish an arms factory in Romania's southern Dambovita county within the next two years. The proposed facility promises to serve as a regional hub for the production, maintenance, and repair of various defense systems.
The intended factory's construction was disclosed by Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Global Defense, during a meeting with Romanian journalists. Coulter emphasized the company's desire to extend its local operations within these strategic markets, beyond merely exporting their products.
Romania, according to Coulter, presents an attractive hub for European operations. He stated that the factory would be dedicated to producing K9 and K10 howitzers, with the construction of the factory itself being a priority. The initial phase of production will involve the delivery of systems directly due to the urgency of the need, but over time, the K9 and K10 manufacturing will be transferred to Romania.
Coulter also mentioned that efforts are underway to expedite the construction process, with the initiation scheduled for the first quarter of next year. Some raw updates suggest that the entire project might take approximately two years to complete.
The South Korean company has already set up an office in Bucharest, and once the factory construction begins, it will collaborate with local Romanian companies such as Pro Optica and Iveco. The proposed facility will be constructed afresh in Dambovita, with all necessary permits in the process of acquisition.
In July 2024, Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with Romania's Ministry of Defense for the delivery of 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 36 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles. This agreement involves the delivery of vehicles in stages over the subsequent five years, with the first delivery scheduled for early 2027. Most of these vehicles are anticipated to be manufactured in Romania, with significant participation from local suppliers.
Coulter stated that the factory in Romania has the potential to generate up to 2,000 jobs, depending on contracts awarded. Trainees from Romania may receive training in South Korea or undergo training from South Korean instructors.
The initial batch of 18 K9 howitzers and 12 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles will be delivered directly from South Korea, while the facility in Romania concurrently undergoes construction.
[1] Hanwha’s planned factory in Romania sets its sights on regional production and maintenance capabilities, potentially expanding to include other advanced defense systems such as the Chunmoo and K2 tanks.[3] The construction timeframe for the proposed Romanian factory, at approximately two years, aligns with industry standards for defense manufacturing projects, suggesting that preparations like design and infrastructure setup are set to commence soon after the start of construction.
- Hanwha's planned factory in Romania might extend its production scope to include advanced defense systems such as the Chunmoo and K2 tanks, with the construction timeline aligning with industry standards for defense manufacturing projects.
- Amidst discussions on the integration of local Romanian companies like Pro Optica and Iveco, Hanwha's planned sports equipment production could potentially complement the defense systems manufactured in the factory, further enhancing its regional capabilities.
