On August 12, 2024, Polish Land Forces 16th Mechanized Division (16 Dywizja Zmechanizowana) officially received its first shipment of four new Homar-K multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), mounted on Jelcz 882.57 chassis. This marks a major step in modernizing the country’s artillery capabilities. With the latest additions, the Polish Armed Forces now operate 22 Homar-K platforms, a domestically-produced variant of the K239 Chunmoo MLRS, which is gradually replacing the Soviet-era BM-21 Grad and RM-70 systems. The recently delivered systems are part of a larger shipment that arrived in June 2024, consisting of 12 additional Homar-K modules. Of these, 21 units have been deployed across Poland, with one unit stationed in South Korea for training purposes. Originally, Poland had purchased 212 units of the polonized K239 Chunmoo, but the order was increased to 290 units after a second performance contract was signed in April 2024. This agreement includes the procurement of several thousand rockets in two main types: the 239mm CGR-080 with an 80 km range, and the CTM-290 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), capable of hitting targets up to 290 km away. The contract also covers logistical support and training packages.
The first dozen modules are expected to come from Hanwha Aerospace’s Changwon facility in South Korea, but starting with the 13th unit, production will shift to Poland, potentially at the HSW factory. Negotiations for technology transfer to enable domestic production of the 239mm CGR-080 rockets are ongoing, with an expected agreement linked to a future performance contract with Hanwha Aerospace. The Homar-K system is a highly adapted version of the K239 Chunmoo, modified to meet Polish requirements. The original Doosan 8×8 truck platform has been replaced by the Polish-made Jelcz 882.57, capable of carrying two rocket containers. Each container can hold either six guided 239mm rockets with an 80 km range or a single ballistic missile with a range of up to 290 km. Efforts are underway to integrate additional munitions, including 122mm rockets from legacy systems such as the WR-40 Langusta and BM-21 Grad, as well as unguided 131mm and 227mm rockets. Future developments may include longer-range rockets with a range of 150-200 km.
The Homar-K also features advanced Polish technology, including the ZZKO Topaz fire control system (FCS), which enables seamless integration with the fire control and battlefield management systems (BMS) used by Polish artillery units. Its modular and scalable nature allows ground force commanders down to the lowest tactical level to select appropriate mission modules from WB Group’s toolkit of services to integrate external applications and equipment. TOPAZ AFCS is a fully scalable fire control system that can be deployed from small teams, to vehicles and command centers, enabling the commanders to gain full control of the battlefield with help of all available strike sources. More than 14 Polish artillery batteries are currently equipped with TOPAZ Automated Fire Control System (AFCS) software suites in support of: self-propelled howitzer (155 mm KRAB; 152 mm DANA, 122 mm GOZDZIK); self-propelled mortar (120 mm RAK) and multiple launch rocket system (WR-40 LANGUSTA, modernized BM-21). The system also incorporates the Fonet digital communication suite. Looking ahead, the Homar-K platform may be upgraded to the next-generation Jelcz 883.5, further enhancing Poland’s artillery capabilities.
