Opelika has announced a new industry – Hanwha Defense USA

Opelika – The City of Opelika has announced that Hanwha Defense USA is establishing a site in Opelika that will serve as the U.S. integration and test facility for Hanwha’s family of K9 Mobile Howitzers.

Hanwha Defense USA has signed a three-year lease as part of the company’s strategic commitment to invest in the U.S. artillery system supply chain, enhance America’s combat vehicle industrial base and serve as a long-term artillery modernization partner to the U.S. Army.

This investment demonstrates HDUSA’s commitment to localizing production as part of its submission of Hanwha’s K9 Mobile Howitzer in response to the U.S. Army’s Mobile Tactical Cannon Request for Prototype Proposal. HDUSA will provide the U.S. Army with a mature, available, low-risk, and rapidly fieldable 155 mm artillery system that supports the Army’s modernization and long-range precision fires objectives.

“Hanwha’s decision to establish Opelika’s first national defense initiative here marks a significant milestone for our community,” said Opelika Mayor Eddie Smith. “This project not only strengthens our local economy, but also highlights the strategic advantages Opelika offers — from our proximity to Auburn University’s exceptional talent pipeline to our longstanding partnership with Fort Benning. We are proud to support efforts that contribute to our nation’s defense while creating new opportunities for our citizens.”