The K9 Thunder howitzer and the Redback IFV were presented in Korea. Production facilities of the South Korean giant were visited in Changwon, south of the peninsula, where Hanwha produces K9 Thunder howitzers as well as Redback fighting machines.
As a reminder, Hanwha is the only company left in the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer tender.
The programme foresees the acquisition of 3 howitzer systems (3 x 18 155 mm howitzers + ammunition + logistical support). 54 howitzers will be purchased in total and Hanwha will carry out industrial cooperation with Romanian companies if the contract will be signed.
In addition to the 54 howitzers, 36 K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (ARV) and 18,000 projectiles will be purchased.
So when could we see the contract signed between Romania and Hanwha Aerospace for the 54 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers?
Negotiations are currently in the final stages of clarification and the last details are being finalised.
Hanwha has expressed hope that the formal agreement will be signed after these final steps of the tender are completed.
So we expect this to happen in the coming weeks. It would not be out of the question for the agreement to be initialled next month, when the BSDA 2024 exhibition will take place in Bucharest.
The K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer is in the service of 9 countries, including 5 NATO countries. They are Poland, Norway, Estonia, Finland, Turkey. Romania would be the 6th NATO member country to operate the K9 Thunder.
This partnership also represents a new perspective for Romania to become a hub in Europe for Hanwha Aerospace. Hanwha wants to be a reliable supplier for the Romanian Armed Forces by being involved in several large projects such as the IFV Redback and air defence (Chunmoo system).
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