Accelerating its strategy of promoting localisation as it rapidly expands its footprint into Europe, Hanwha will shine a spotlight on its uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) capability at the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace event in Bucharest this week. The company’s exhibit will highlight both the GRUNT and THeMIS-K vehicles, the former a development of the company’s Arion-SMET, the latter a combat-proven UGV developed by Estonia’s Milrem Robotics, now an EDGE company.
The Arion-SMET (Autonomous and Robotic Systems for Intelligence Off-road Navigation-SMET), first shown to the public at AUSA 2024, has now been transformed into the 6×6 hybrid-electric GRUNT (GRound UNcrewed Transport) and features an enhanced payload capacity of 900kg and an extended range of up to 290km. Optional mission fits cover an RCWS for 5.56 to 7.62mm weapons, automatic target tracking and a wide variety of sensors supporting multiple mission sets and the vehicle integrates Hanwha’s HAEMOS solutions for autonomous and robotic systems. The tracked THeMIS has a payload capacity up to 1,200kg and a hybrid propulsion system. It also features modular mission equipment capabilities.
The collaboration between the two companies is aimed at advancing joint development of localised variants tailored to both Korean and Romanian operational requirements and comes as European armed forces – including Romania’s – increasingly prioritise uncrewed systems as force multipliers. Hanwha and Milrem are actively pursuing an integrated approach for Romania, combining wheeled and tracked platforms to enable manoeuvrability and tactical agility.
Hanwha will also display a wide range of more traditional advanced systems at BDSA, ranging from the K9A1 SPH and Chunmoo MLRS to satellite-based data solutions and maritime mine disposal systems. The Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence under construction in Dâmbovita, Romania, is scheduled to open in 2027 and will be the company’s first EU-based production facility, initially supporting the Romanian K9 programme.
Lino Lim, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace Romania, said: “As Europe accelerates rearmament and adapts to evolving security challenges, Hanwha Aerospace aims to support this transformation through localized production, integrated systems, and future-ready technologies—enhancing interoperability and supply chain resilience across the EU and NATO.”
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Hanwha, South Korea’s seventh largest industrial conglomerate, has developed a comprehensive road map for continued development of its uncrewed platforms by 2028. Incorporating an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robot to enter service late this year, an uncrewed command and control naval vessel and satellite-based command and control systems, the road map was presented to the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration agency in March 2025 and has enjoyed high-profile support within government.
The Romanian venture could well be the start of a series of localisation and collaboration moves that will repay human and financial capital investment with procurement success at a time other manufacturers are struggling to keep up with changing circumstances as a result of shifting geopolitics. Long a company to watch, Hanwha may be becoming a company to be far more aware of.
Headline image shows the GRUNT and THeMIS-K UGVs. Body image Kp SPH for Romania. (Hanwha Aerospace)
