Hanwha Aerospace is expanding its European footprint through the construction of a large-scale armored vehicle manufacturing center in Romania. The project, known as H-ACE Europe, will be located in Petrești and will focus on producing K9 self-propelled howitzers alongside K10 ammunition resupply vehicles for the Romanian Armed Forces and potential regional customers. Covering roughly 181,000 square meters, the facility will house advanced production lines, system integration bays, validation laboratories, and a dedicated 1,751-meter vehicle test track to verify operational performance before field deployment. The center will function as a comprehensive support hub, offering full-spectrum services from final assembly and integration to long-term maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Hanwha’s localization strategy aims to achieve approximately 80 percent domestic industrial participation, incorporating dozens of Romanian companies into its broader supply chain network. This model supports technology transfer, workforce development, and enhanced industrial resilience. The investment follows Romania’s 2024 contract for 54 K9 artillery systems and 36 K10 resupply platforms, a move that significantly modernizes its artillery forces. Hanwha also plans to expand production scope over time to include infantry fighting vehicles, advanced strike systems, and unmanned ground platforms, positioning Romania as a strategic manufacturing base within Europe. The country has seen parallel defense investments in recent years. In 2022, Rheinmetall launched a production and sustainment facility near Bucharest to strengthen armored vehicle capabilities. A year later, Elbit Systems formed a partnership with Romarm to establish an artillery production plant focused on ATMOS 155mm systems. Together, these developments signal Romania’s growing role as a key defense manufacturing center in Eastern Europe.
