The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that Administrator Seok Jong-geun visited Romania for two days starting on the 28th (local time) to assess the export status of the Cheongung and K9 self-propelled howitzers.

According to DAPA, Administrator Seok held a meeting with Nicolae Pauliuc, the chair of the Senate Defense Committee, in Romania. He has the authority to approve and allocate the budget for defense procurement projects. Administrator Seok explained that preparations are underway for cooperation with local corporations to participate in the procurement of Redback armored vehicles and K2 tanks in Romania, which is pursuing rearmament and currently conducting procurement projects for infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.

Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner Seok Jong-geon is visiting Romania on the 28th (local time) and is taking a commemorative photo with Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Bogdan-Gruia Ivan. /Courtesy of Defense Acquisition Program Administration

Administrator Seok also met with Bogdan Gruia Ivan, the Minister of Economy, Business Environment, and Tourism. During this meeting, they discussed potential areas for new defense cooperation, including vessels and advanced technologies. DAPA noted, "Minister Ivan expressed a desire for cooperation with our defense and shipbuilding corporations and proposed collaboration in advanced defense technology areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies," and "Administrator Seok agreed to expedite the advancement of agreements between the two countries."

Administrator Seok also held a meeting with domestic corporations that are promoting defense exports to Romania. Through this, he listened to the progress of the ongoing K9 self-propelled howitzer and Cheongung export projects and the corporations' suggestions. DAPA said, "We discussed strategies for entering the European defense market in response to recent European rearmament and ways for government and companies to cooperate on this."

Administrator Seok emphasized, "I was able to witness firsthand the largest scale of rearmament in Europe since the Cold War and created an opportunity to enhance defense cooperation," stating, "I will do everything possible to ensure that the export projects for Redback armored vehicles and K2 tanks yield results as soon as possible."