Hanwha Aerospace to Sign Additional Deal with Poland for K239 Chunmoo Rocket Launchers

Hanwha Aerospace, a South Korean defense firm, is expected to sign an additional contract with Poland for the supply of K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher systems.

The anticipated deal, estimated to be worth around 2.2 trillion won (US$1.6 billion), would cover the remaining 70 units of the 288 Chunmoo systems that Poland had committed to buying.

A Polish delegation, led by Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Bejda, plans to observe a test-firing of the Chunmoo MLRS at a testing site in South Korea on Wednesday. A successful test of the modified system is expected to lead to the finalization of the deal. Poland had already signed a contract in November 2022 to purchase 218 units of the Chunmoo.

The K239 Chunmoo MLRS is one of several Korean weapons systems that Poland has procured to bolster its defenses in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. In 2022, Poland signed procurement deals worth 17 trillion won with South Korea to buy various military equipment, including K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 light attack aircraft. These deals represented South Korea's most significant arms sales abroad.

Why this matters: The anticipated deal between Hanwha Aerospace and Poland underscores the growing defence cooperation between South Korea and European countries. It also highlights South Korea's increasing presence in the global arms market, with the country securing significant defense contracts in recent years.

During their weeklong trip to South Korea, the Polish officials are also scheduled to visit other South Korean defence manufacturers. The procurement of the Chunmoo MLRS and other advanced weapons systems is part of Poland's efforts to modernize its military capabilities and strengthen its deterrence against potential threats in the region.

Key Takeaways

• Hanwha Aerospace is set to sign a $1.6B deal with Poland for 70 Chunmoo MLRS units
• Poland has procured various Korean weapons, including K2 tanks and K9 howitzers
• Deal highlights growing defence cooperation between South Korea and Europe
• Poland aims to modernize its military, strengthen deterrence against regional threats