Hanwha Aerospace has announced a partnership with Milrem Robotics, a leading European unmanned systems company, to collaborate on unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) projects in Romania. This initiative aims to expand Hanwha's European portfolio, traditionally focused on firepower systems, into the unmanned systems sector, enhancing its competitive edge in future ground warfare markets.
On May 14, during the BSDA 2026 international defense exhibition in Bucharest, Hanwha Aerospace signed a cooperation agreement with Milrem Robotics and Hanwha Aerospace Romania (HARO) to jointly participate in UGV projects.
In response to evolving security dynamics in Europe, there is a growing demand among European and NATO member countries for versatile unmanned systems, with Romania also pursuing the introduction of next-generation UGVs.
Hanwha Aerospace possesses independently developed wheeled UGV platforms, including the Arion-SMET and GRUNT. Milrem Robotics' tracked UGV platform, THeMIS, is recognized globally for its superior off-road mobility, hybrid propulsion system, and capability to integrate various mission equipment.
The two companies are also developing a larger tracked UGV platform. Prior to this agreement, Hanwha Aerospace garnered significant interest from Romanian military officials by demonstrating the capabilities of the GRUNT and THeMIS in a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) performance showcase in Romania.
Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics, stated, "THeMIS is one of the first UGVs to enter mass production in Europe. We aim to contribute to expanding production capabilities in Romania and revitalizing the local defense ecosystem."
Lim Kyung-wook, head of Hanwha Aerospace Romania, remarked, "Through this collaboration, we will provide solutions optimized for the Romanian operational environment while expanding our unmanned systems portfolio in the European and NATO markets."
Hanwha Aerospace plans to establish local production and supply systems for next-generation unmanned solutions in Romania, thereby expanding its unmanned systems business in the European market. In February, the company broke ground on a local factory (H-ACE Europe) to produce K9 self-propelled howitzers and K10 ammunition supply vehicles, laying the foundation for local production in Europe.
H-ACE Europe, located on a site of approximately 180,055 square meters (about 44.5 acres) in the Petresti area of Romania, features advanced assembly lines, performance and verification testing facilities, and a 1,751-meter-long driving test track. The factory is set to produce 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 36 K10 ammunition supply vehicles under a contract worth 1.38 trillion won, signed in July 2024.
A Hanwha Aerospace official stated, "Through H-ACE Europe, we will establish a comprehensive life-cycle support system, including assembly, integration, testing, and maintenance, and aim to increase the localization rate in Europe to as high as 80% based on local industrial participation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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