A miniature version of the K9A2 howitzer manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace is displayed at the Eurosatory defense and security exhibition in Paris, France, Monday. Reuters-Yonhap

Korea will export K9 self-propelled howitzers worth $920 million to Romania, adding the Eastern European nation as the 10th country on contract for the weapon.

The deal was finalized during a meeting between Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and his Romanian counterpart Angel Tilvar in Romania. Tilvar conveyed Romania's decision to purchase the K9 howitzers during their talks, and Shin expressed his gratitude for the decision, according to Shin's office.

"I can promise Korea will be the optimal partner for Romania's ongoing military modernization project," Shin was quoted as saying.

"Korea will not remain at selling weapons but will enhance various defense and defense industry cooperation (with Romania), including joint production, cross-training between operational units and personnel exchanges."

The deal, valued at $920 million, marks the biggest of Romania's arms procurement projects in seven years and a follow-up outcome of a summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Seoul in April.

Details of the contract remain under wraps, but earlier reports suggested that the Romanian military intends to acquire 54 K9 howitzers from the K9's manufacturer, Hanwha Aerospace, as part of the country's efforts to beef up its artillery strength.

Polish President Andrzej Duda attends the acceptance of the first Korean K2 battle tanks and K9 howitzers for Poland at the Baltic Container Terminal in Gdynia, Dec. 6, 2022. AFP-Yonhap

The K9 has been a lead-off of Korea's defense exports in recent years. Renowned for its advanced artillery capabilities and robust performance in various combat scenarios, it is now on contract with nine countries including Australia, Norway, Finland, Egypt and Poland — and Romania will be the 10th country.

During the ministerial talk, Shin also said that "true peace can only be maintained when it is backed by strong power," and he hopes "both countries can fulfill their roles as bulwarks in protecting freedom and peace in Asia and Europe."

Along with the K9 howitzers, Korea's home-developed K2 will likely see additional export deals in the near future.

"Chances are high that the second executive contract for the K2 tank exports will be signed on the occasion of the International Defense Industry Exhibition in Poland this September," Defense Acquisition Program Administration Minister Seok Jong-gun told Korean reporters on the sidelines of the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris, Tuesday.

In 2022, the tank's manufacturer, Hyundai Rotem, signed a framework contract for exporting 1,000 K2s to Poland and clinched a $3.25 billion executive contract to supply an initial batch of 180 tanks.

The two sides have yet to sign an additional executive contract for the remaining 820 tanks, and Seok's comments appear to be affecting the remainder.

"To sign the second executive contract within this year, government-level negotiations are taking place in a prudent manner," Seok said. "And our goal is to sign the contract during the September event."

Defense Acquisition Program Administration Minister Seok Jong-gun, center, speaks to reporters on the sidelines of the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps