Hanwha Aerospace has signed an additional executive contract with Polish Armaments Agency for supplying 72 more Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS), preceded by the framework contract and first executive contract, both signed in 2022. Worth around 2.27 trillion KRW (1.6 B USD), the contract outlines the supply of 72 Polish Chunmoo Multi-Rocket launchers; CTM-290, a long-range guided missile of Chunmoo; and the transfer of technology on the launch modules of the MRLS. The contract was signed at Hanwha Aerospace’s production plant in Changwon, with the attendance of representatives from both Governments. Polish delegates included Pawel Bejda, Deputy Minister of Defense of Poland; Artur Kuptel, Chief of the Polish Armament Agency; and Marcin Kulasek, Deputy Minister of State Property of Poland. Among the Korean attendees were Minister Seok Jong-gun of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; Deputy Minister Sung Il of the Office of Military Resources Management; and Park Jong-seung, Head of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).
“This contract signifies our dedication to supporting the enhancement of security in Poland and the region, irrespective of political and societal changes. Hanwha Aerospace is proud of our ongoing dedication to delivering deterrence solutions to regions with urgent demands.” said Jaeil Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace.
A day earlier, the Polish delegation visited ADD’s test site in Anheung, about 100 kilometers southwest of Seoul, to watch the test-firing of the CTM-290 ballistic missile to be launched from the Polish Chunmoo MRLS, nicknamed HOMAR-K. The CTM-290 was successfully launched from launcher system, demonstrating its precision-guided striking capability. The missile has a maximum range of 290km with a diameter of 600mm. Under the HOMAR-K program, Polish defense companies is to oversee the integration and assembly of the long-range rocket launcher system mounted on Polish Jelcz 8×8 chassis. The MRLS is equipped with a number of Polish components and subsystems, with extensive involvement from the Polish defense industry. The latest defense contract underlines the continuation of strong cooperation between the two parties in the defense sector.
The K239 Chunmoo is a rocket artillery system developed in 2013 to replace the aging K136 Kooryong of the South Korean military. The K239 Chunmoo is a self-propelled multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) capable of firing several different guided or unguided artillery rockets. The K239 is capable of launching K33 131 mm rockets, but not 130 mm rockets, which are used in the existing K136 Kooryong rocket artillery system. Homar-K (English: Lobster, K for Korean) is a Polish multiple launch rocket system combining the improved K239 launcher and domestic Jelcz P883.57 8×8 truck chassis. Built to meet Polish military requirements, the system will ultimately integrate a Polish-designed TOPAZ fire control system and be serviced with a South Korean CGR080 239 mm guided rocket produced in Poland under license and a 600 mm short-range tactical ballistic missile known as the CTM290 (Chunmoo Tactical Missile) with a range of 290 km. Hanwha Aerospace is undergoing further development to use the Polish 122 mm rocket in the Homar-K system. Poland contracted for 72 systems in the initial delivery.
