Hanwha Aerospace Co. displays the K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system during an International Defence Industry Exhibition held in Kielce, Poland, on Sept. 5, 2023, in this file photo provided by the South Korean defense firm. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Apr. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace Co. is expected to export an additional batch of Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Poland, a deal estimated at around 2.2 trillion won (US$1.6 billion), multiple sources said Tuesday.
A Polish delegation, led by Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Bejda, plans to observe a test-firing of the K239 Chunmoo MLRS at the state-run Agency for Defense Development’s Anheung testing site in Taean, 109 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Wednesday.
A successful test of the system, modified to fit a Polish military vehicle, is expected to lead to a deal, sources familiar with the issue said.
As Poland committed to buying 288 units of the Chunmoo and signed a contract to purchase 218 units in November 2022, the anticipated deal is likely to cover the remaining 70 units, they noted.
The MLRS is one of the Korean weapons systems Poland bought to bolster its defenses in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
In 2022, Poland signed procurement deals worth 17 trillion won to buy K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft and Chunmoo, marking South Korea’s largest-ever arms sales abroad.
The delegation has been in South Korea to observe weapons systems, review their performances and discuss terms of contracts with industry and military officials.
During their weeklong trip running through Saturday, the Polish officials are scheduled to visit K2 manufacturer Hyundai Rotem Co., K9 maker Hanwha Aerospace and aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., according to industry officials.
Their visit comes at a time when South Korea is mulling ways to provide state-backed loans and other financial packages to support another round of weapons deals with Poland, estimated at a total of 30 trillion won.
(Yonhap)
