Poland orders second batch of Chunmoo MRLs

The AA signed a second executive contract with Hanwha on 25 April for 72 K239 Chunmoo MRLs (pictured), several thousands of missiles, and technology transfer. (Hanwha Aerospace)

The Polish Armaments Agency (AA) signed a second executive contract with Hanwha Aerospace for 72 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) on 25 April, the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) and the South Korean company announced the same day. The USD1.6 billion contract also covers the delivery of several thousands of missiles with ranges of 80–290 km, including the 600 mm CTM290, and technology transfer.

The Polish MND said on its website that it expected the contract to have a significant impact on the development of the Polish defence industry, with the technologies acquired allowing the establishment of a capability to carry out repairs and modernisation, as well as produce spare parts for the MRLs and launch pods for 122 mm rockets produced by MESKO, part of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ).

In a press release, Hanwha Aerospace expressed its commitment to full-scale localisation of the MRLs in co-operation with Polish industry under the Homar-K programme. Under the programme, Polish defence companies are overseeing the integration and assembly of the MRL mounted on a Polish Jelcz 8×8 chassis. The MRLs are equipped with a number of Polish components and subsystems, with extensive involvement by the Polish defence industry, according to Hanwha.

Poland signed a framework contract with Hanwha for 288 Chunmoos and a first executive contract for 18 of the launchers in 2022. The first Homar-K MRL integrated by Polish defence industry plants was handed over to Poland's new 18th Artillery Regiment in Nowa Dęba in November 2023. The launcher was integrated with a Jelcz chassis and Topaz automated field artillery command-and-control system by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW).