Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar told his Korean counterpart Shin Won-sik on Wednesday that the country will import 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 36 K1 ammunition resupply vehicles. Shin visited the European country for talks on bilateral defense industry cooperation.
If the contract is finalized, Romania will become the ninth European country to import the Korean self-propelled howitzers.
The K9, one of South Korea's best-selling weapons, has been exported to India, Australia, Poland, Türkiye and many other countries.
The deal would mark Romania’s largest arms acquisition in seven years.
Bordering Ukraine across the Black Sea, Romania has been hastening its military modernization. The country aims to escalate its defense budget from the current 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.5 percent. By 2032, it plans to invest $39.9 billion in procuring advanced weaponry.
"Korea will be the best partner for Romania's ongoing military modernization project," said Minister Shin. He also expressed hopes that the cooperation would extend to co-production, cross-training between operational units and personnel exchanges in various areas of defense and defense industry collaboration.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
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