Hanwha Aerospace Co.’s Romanian subsidiary is strengthening its local presence through new academic partnerships, following last year’s 1.4 billion-won ($1.4 billion) contract for K9 self-propelled howitzers.
The South Korean defense contractor signed a memorandum of understanding with Romania’s Polytechnic University of Bucharest and South Korea’s Busan University on April 16. The agreement establishes a framework for hiring local workers, creating scholarships, building R&D centers within universities, and developing student exchange programs.
Bae Jin-kyu, who heads Hanwha’s Romanian subsidiary, indicated the partnership aims to foster local talent while contributing to Romania’s economic development. The Polytechnic University’s rector expressed pride in the collaboration, suggesting it would provide opportunities for students and faculty to jointly develop advanced defense technologies.
The initiative comes as Romania, a strategically positioned NATO member, continues to modernize its military capabilities. Last year’s howitzer purchase represented a significant upgrade for the Romanian military and further cemented growing defense ties between South Korea and the Eastern European nation.
The agreement represents another step in Hanwha Aerospace’s European expansion strategy as the company capitalizes on increasing defense spending across the continent.
