Croatia signs major deal for 18 South Korean K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers

Minister of Defence of Croatia, Ivan Anušić, signed the Contract for the delivery of self-propelled rocket launchers K239 Chunmoo, the Contract for the delivery and integration of the command-and-control system, and the Memorandum of Understanding.

In Banski dvori, in the presence of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the Contract for the delivery of self-propelled rocket launchers K239 Chunmoo with associated equipment and systems, the Contract for the delivery and integration of the command-and-control (C2) system, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea on defence cooperation were signed.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić and President of the Board of Hanwha Aerospace Billy Boo-Hwan Lee signed the Contract for the delivery of self-propelled rocket launchers K239 Chunmoo with associated equipment and systems.

Minister Anušić and Vice President of WB Electronics Adam Bartosiewicz signed the Contract for the delivery and integration of the command-and-control (C2) system, CE Report informs via the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia's official website.

In Banski dvori, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea on defence cooperation was also signed. It was signed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić and Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea Ahn Gyu-back.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković and Minister Ivan Anušić held a meeting with Korean Minister Ahn Gyu-back, during which the continuation of cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Korea in the field of defence was confirmed.

Prime Minister Plenković: With this kind of weaponry, Croatia gains capabilities it has never had before

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković emphasized: “Today is a very important day for the modernization and equipping of the Croatian Army, as well as for strengthening defence cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Croatia. I say this truly convinced that this is a strategic step forward because with this kind of weaponry Croatia gains capabilities that it does not currently have and that it has never had before. These contracts are the fruit of continuous partnership and close cooperation between Croatia and the Republic of Korea, which we have been developing for 34 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations.”

Regarding the signing of the Memorandum, the Prime Minister said that the Memorandum will provide a solid framework for further cooperation between our ministries and armed forces, the linking of defence industries, and the development of joint projects.

Minister Anušić: Croatian company Končar will be involved in the implementation of this project

Minister Anušić expressed satisfaction with the signing of these contracts important for the modernization of the Croatian Army. “I am glad that today we have reached the end of a major project of equipping the CAF with the Chunmoo rocket system, which will upgrade our security system and our operational activities, a system that will bring us closer to the operational capabilities that we have set for ourselves through documents and plans. Precisely this system, along with our Rafales, will be the striking force of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia,” he stressed.

The Minister also highlighted the involvement of domestic companies in the projects of modernizing the Armed Forces: “Our Croatian company Končar will be involved in the implementation of this project in the years ahead, which is extremely important to us.”

Commenting also on the signing of the Memorandum, Minister Anušić said that this will improve cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Korea: “The goal is for our countries to continue developing bilateral relations: diplomatic, economic, and in the field of defence cooperation.”

Finally, the Minister highlighted the advantages of the South Korean industry: “I want to praise your industry for competitive prices, top quality and very fast delivery, which is very important in these circumstances.”

Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea Ahn Gyu-back said that the sale of the Chunmoo system is “closely monitored” in his country and that it represents the “culmination” of cooperation between the two countries, geographically distant but similar in their historical path of struggle for security and independence.

“We are located at different ends of the world, but we have common elements of history – we are situated in important geopolitical spaces, yet we have a strong spirit with which our peoples have preserved their identity,” said the Korean minister.

Billy Boo-Hwan Lee, President of the Board of Hanwha Aerospace, emphasized that the company wants to “continue and deepen cooperation with Croatia” and that it will “focus on the transfer of technology and knowledge.” He called Croatia a “long-term partner” and expressed the hope that the South Korean defence industry will “find its place” here.

Vice President of WB Electronics Adam Bartosiewicz stressed that the signing of the Contract is further proof that Europe is showing its responsibility for security by investing in defence capabilities and strengthening the alliance with other countries that share responsibility for security.

Self-propelled rocket launchers K239 Chunmoo and the command-and-control (C2) system

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia is procuring 18 self-propelled launchers K239 Chunmoo with rocket ammunition from Hanwha Aerospace, while the Contract with WB Electronics ensures the delivery, installation and integration of the command-and-control system.

The total value of the procurement is 435.2 million euros excluding VAT. Implementation is planned for the period from 2026 to 2029, with delivery of the entire package within 24 to 36 months. In 2028, Croatia will receive 85 percent of the Chunmoo rocket system.

This is a Total Package Approach procurement, consisting of launchers, ammunition, cargo vehicles for ammunition transport, fire control centres, training and technical documentation, simulation training rocket containers, rocket testing equipment, and initial spare parts kits under contracts with the South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace, while the procurement of the command-and-control (C2) system that links all elements of the system is contracted with the Polish company WB Electronics.

The Chunmoo K239 is a modern rocket system that enables rapid and flexible fire support across a wide range of tasks. One of its key features is the ability to simultaneously carry two rocket modules on one launcher, including modules with different types of ammunition, which enables engagement at different ranges and against different types of targets.

The system is intended for precise engagement of tactical targets and concentrations of forces, facilities and high-value targets in the depth of the enemy’s deployment. Its introduction will further strengthen the Croatian Army’s fire support and precision strike capabilities and improve overall combat readiness.

The introduction of the South Korean system will multiply the range and precision of Croatian rocket artillery compared to current systems.

By signing the contracts with Hanwha Aerospace and WB Electronics, Croatia has secured a comprehensive solution which, in addition to the delivery of launchers and rocket ammunition, also includes the integration of the command-and-control system, thereby creating the preconditions for the effective introduction of the new capability into operational use by the Croatian Army.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea on defence cooperation

The Memorandum of Understanding between the two ministries is a framework for strengthening defence cooperation in the fields of the defence industry, military-technical cooperation, training, exercises, education, research and technology.

Photo Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia