Poland in negotiations to buy Korean K239 Chunmoo missile system

Poland is seeking to buy the Korean K239 Chunmoo missile system. Active negotiations on this issue are underway.

This was reported by the defence24.pl, citing its own sources.

Poland is interested in the Korean system, since there is no certainty that the American industry will be able to satisfy the request for the sale of 500 HIMARS systems.

Poland also expects large-scale cooperation with the Republic of Korea in the event of an agreement on the K239 Chunmoo. In particular, the system is planned to be placed on the chassis of the Polish Jelcz truck, while the Topaz system is to be integrated into the missile complex. And most importantly, it is intended to localize the production of missiles. There are also expectations about the possibility of integrating K239 Chunmoo and 122 mm Langusta MLRS missiles (Polish analogue of BM-21 Grad).

K239 Chunmoo

K239 Chunmoo is a missile system having been delivered into service with the Army of the Republic of Korea since 2015. It is manufactured by Hanwha Defense.

This is a modular system that allows for the use of the following types of ammunition:

– 130mm (Korean MLRS of the previous generation K136 Kooryong),

– 227mm (in particular, compatible with M270/HIMARS)

– 239mm missiles (capable of hitting targets at a distance of 80-85 km, adjusted by GPS or inertia).

There is a program to create a tactical ballistic missile for the complex, capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 300 km (400 or 600mm).

The ammunition is equipped into two launching containers with the capacity to fit from 20 to 6 missiles each, depending on the caliber.

Apart from the Republic of Korea, K239 Chunmoo is in service with the United Arab Emirates.