Hanwha Aerospace, Poland sign $1.6 billion Chunmoo rocket launcher deal

Hanwha Aerospace Co., a leading South Korean defense company, on Thursday signed a $1.64 billion deal to supply 72 units of Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) to Poland.

The deal was signed by Hanwha Aerospace Chief Executive Son Jae-il and Artur Kuptel, head of the Polish State Armament Agency, at a Hanwha factory in Changwon, Korea.

The deal comes with the condition that the Korean government provide financial support and loans to Poland by the end of November.

Under the contract, Hanwha will supply 72 Chunmoo launchers and 80 km range guided missiles (CGR-80) and 290 km range guided missiles (CTM-290).

On Wednesday, senior Korean defense officials and a Polish delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Bejda, observed the test-firing of CTM-290 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers at the state-run Agency for Defense Development’s test site in Anheung, southwest of Seoul.

Hanwha Aerospace, the aircraft engine-making unit of Hanwha Group, absorbed Hanwha Defense Co. in 2022 to create synergy and cut costs in the defense and aerospace businesses.

PART OF $22 BILLION DEFENSE DEAL

The $1.64 billion Chunmoo contract is part of an estimated $22 billion agreement Korea reached with Poland in 2022.

Poland had already agreed on terms to acquire 218 Chunmoo MLRS artillery as part of the 2022 deal – Korea's largest-ever arms sale.

At that time, Poland agreed to buy K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft and some 300 Chunmoo systems.

The Chunmoo rocket system boasts of performance similar to the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) developed by Lockheed Martin, on top of a lengthy shooting range of up to 300 kilometers.

The Chunmoo comprises a launch vehicle, a multiple-rocket launcher and missiles.

Poland, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member country, has been building up its military capacity following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com

In-Soo Nam edited this article.