Poland to acquire hundreds of K239 multiple-rocket launchers from South Korea

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News October 16, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Poland will buy as many as 300 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers from South Korea, the Polish defense minister has confirmed.

The contract is expected to be signed during the upcoming visit of Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak to Seoul. He told a local news media i.pl that Poland has already completed negotiations on the contract for the Chunmoo launchers with South Korea.

“I intend to sign a framework contract for the supply of nearly 300 K239 Chunmoo multi-lead rocket launchers. It is an excellent artillery weapon, and observing the war in Ukraine, we can clearly see how great advantage on the battlefield is made by artillery” he stated.

The first South Korean launchers, developed by Hanwha Group, are expected to be delivered to Poland in 2023. Warsaw will also acquire a very large number of missiles, both precision strike missiles for a distance of up to 70 km, and tactical missiles with a range of about 300 km, the minister added. The value of the planned contract has not bee disclosed.

Poland is acquiring K239 Chunmoo along with the HIMARS missile artillery system in the United States. The Polish minister earlier announced that the defense ministry had signed a letter of request to purchase about 500 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from the United States but may not be able to buy as many as originally planned. “We’re aware that we will not receive all 500 HIMARS launchers, for which we have sent a letter of request, within a timeline that would be satisfactory to us,” Błaszczak said. “We decided to split the HIMARS order into stages. We will have both the HIMARS and the Chunmoo.”

K239 Chunmoo MLRS

The Chunmoo is a new multiple rocket launcher system that is described as “the most powerful MRL system of the Korean Army.” The K239 Chunmoo has been in service with the South Korean military for seven years. This multi-caliber rocket system can use different types of ammunition: 130mm, 227mm (HIMARS compatible) and 239mm. These rockets are factory fitted and sealed in pods and can be stored without any maintenance for a number of years.

Hanwha Corporation, the leading South Korean defense company that specializes in precision-guided munitions and missiles, developed the K239 Chunmoo to replace the American-made M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Mariusz Błaszczak also announced that the ceremony of handing over the first batch of K2 tanks and K9 cannon howitzers ordered by Poland will also take place under the contract approved on July 27, 2022, in Warsaw.

The K9 Thunder is described as “the world’s most advanced self-propelled howitzer.” The K9 boasts a long shooting range for fire combat and a fast firing speed for real-time, quick-focused fire power. It is also known to have excellent maneuverability and survivability.

*^{K9 Thunder is the world’s most advanced self-propelled howitzer. (Image Credit: Hanwha Defense)}*

South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Defense Systems Corp. signed a $5.76 billion agreement for K2 tanks and K9 howitzers in Poland on August, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said in a statement, describing it as “a milestone in defense cooperation between Korea and Poland”.

Earlier this year, Warsaw ordered 1,000 K2 tanks and 600 K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea, while in 2026, it will begin to produce its own K2 tanks.

Last month, Poland also finalized the $3 billion deal with South Korea to purchase FA-50 light combat aircraft. The FA-50 aircraft contract is part of a comprehensive $13.7 billion (65-billion zloty) arms deal the two countries reached earlier this year.

Poland and South Korea’s defense deals materialized amid increasing tensions with Russia as the European country seeks to bolster its military power. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has pushed Poland to expand its military potential as the country decided to increase its defense spending to 3% from 2% of GDP starting in 2023.