Romania Close to Procuring South Korean K9 Thunder Howitzer System

Romania is close to buying K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers from South Korea.

This was reported by Defense Romania on Tuesday.

The procurement program for 155-mm self-propelled howitzers on a tracked chassis is scheduled to start this year. The contract is estimated to cost around $2 billion.

The program will be implemented in two stages, the first of which will be launched in 2023 and last for 6 years. It covers the acquisition of three artillery divisions, including ammunition, logistics, and special equipment for training.

Each of the five planned howitzer divisions will consist of 18 howitzers. Therefore, the procurement, which will start in 2023, will involve the purchase of 54 combat vehicles.

A large delegation from Romania, headed by the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Defense and Economy, reportedly visited South Korea last year. The purchase of weapons, including K9 howtzers, were discussed during a meeting, reports say.

In March 2023, Florin Spătaru, Minister of Economy of Romania, said an agreement on K9 had been signed with Hanwha Defense.

“We are still discussing the production of the K9 self-propelled howitzers with the Romanian Ministry of Defense, but the decision-making process at the Ministry of Defense takes time. I will meet with the Minister, and we will see what the state of the assessments is,” the Minister of Economy shared at the time.

Romania also announced the construction of a new plant in cooperation with South Korea to produce gunpowder for ammunition.