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SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) -South Korean defense company Hanwha Aerospace has signed a third-stage contract for its multiple rocket launcher system with Poland’s arms procurement authority, enabling the European country to domestically produce guided rockets under a joint manufacturing framework.

The 5.6 trillion won ($4 billion) agreement, covering 80-kilometer-range guided missiles, was signed Monday at the Warsaw Military Museum between Hanwha WB Advanced Systems — a joint venture between Hanwha Aerospace and Poland’s WB Electronics — and the Polish government. Senior officials and defense industry executives from both countries attended the ceremony.

The joint venture, established in October, was created to localize production of the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system customized for Poland. Under the deal, Poland will acquire the capability to manufacture rockets domestically for its Homar-K system, a Polish variant of South Korea’s Chunmoo.

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Marcin Kosiniak-Kamysz said the agreement turns “independence in rocket production into reality” and marks a turning point for Poland as it moves toward becoming a co-producer of advanced rocket systems rather than a simple buyer.

“Homar-K is becoming a truly joint system,” he said, highlighting the strategic significance of technology transfer and local industrial participation.

Chunmoo is South Korea’s home-grown multiple rocket launcher system capable of firing 12 rockets in under a minute from a single launcher. It has emerged as one of Korea’s most successful defense exports amid Europe’s push to expand artillery and missile capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The latest contract follows two earlier agreements signed between Seoul and Warsaw. The first, concluded in 2022, was dvalued at 5.0357 trillion won, while the second, signed last year, amounted to 2.2 trillion won. Together with the latest deal, total Chunmoo-related contracts with Poland now exceed 12.8 trillion won.

President Lee Jae Myung’s chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, traveled to Warsaw to attend the signing ceremony, underscoring the deal’s diplomatic and strategic importance.

Poland has become one of South Korea’s largest defense partners in Europe, purchasing a wide range of military equipment including K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 fighter jets, as Seoul positions itself as a major global arms supplier through co-production and long-term industrial partnerships.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
Jo Seung-jun 기자 critic@ajunews.com

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