OPELIKA, Ala. (WTVM) — Hanwha Defense USA is investing over $2 million in its Opelika facility to enhance the combat vehicle industry.
This will be Opelika’s first national defense initiative and will strengthen the city’s economy. The investment will create 40 new jobs at the North Park Drive facility.
Hanwha Defense USA works on a variety of wartime artillery, but this investment will focus on the manufacturing and testing of K-9 mobile howitzers. Howitzers are a type of combat vehicle that use short barrel cannons for long range fire, and this facility will be the last stop before they are shipped into warzones.
Hanwha Defense USA signed a three-year lease in Opelika and the $2 million investment will go toward phase one, which will test the gun and vehicle systems on the combat trucks.
Hanwha works directly with the U.S. Army and Pentagon to modernize and transform technology used in combat. Hanwha and the Army are working to maximize the speed of production, and expanding the Opelika facility will get the artillery ready for active war while creating new opportunities.
Hanwha Defense USA has had a presence in Opelika for years, but the decision to expand was influenced by the strategic advantage that being close to Fort Benning and Auburn brings.
Auburn University was awarded a $49 million defense contract with the Pentagon that will continue to build up the defense industry and the research surrounding it in the area.
Story by Talia Cavalline, WTVM
