Romania Confirms USD920 million Deal For South Korean K-9 SPHs

Romania has confirmed a purchase of an unspecified number of South Korean K-9 self-propelled howitzers (SPH) for USD998 million, in a statement by the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. Romania’s defence minister Angel Tilvar made the announcement as his South Korean counterpart, Shin Won-sik was in Romania for talks. Minister Shin is expected to travel to Poland for talks as well.

Hanwha Aerospace is to export 54 K-9 SPHs and 36 K-10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles and will begin rolling out the materiel in Romania 2027 via collaboration with a Romanian firm.

“Based on the K-9 self-propelled howitzer export deal, we anticipate cooperation with Romania to expand in areas such as ground weapons systems involving Redback infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) and K-2 main battle tanks (MBT) as well as guided weapons involving air defense systems,” Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner Seok Jong-gun said.

The procurement is Romania’s largest such purchase in seven years and will foster closer defence and arms cooperation between the two countries. Romania also becomes the ninth country to operate the K-9 SPH.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:DVIDS)