"In swift delivery": Poland acquires more than 100 Chunmoo launchers from South Korea, plans for additional K2 tank shipments follow
**Accelerated Delivery of South Korea's Chunmoo Launchers Boosts Global Appeal**
The delivery timeline for South Korea's Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS) to Poland has been exceptionally swift, setting a new pace in the global arms market. Hanwha Aerospace, the South Korean company behind the Chunmoo, has managed to deliver 126 systems to Poland within just 2 years and 7 months, a feat described as "super speed delivery." This is in stark contrast to the typical delivery timeframe for the U.S. HIMARS systems, which can take anywhere from 4 to 7 years [1][4].
The Chunmoo delivery schedule, accelerated by local assembly in Poland, has caught the attention of several other nations, including Romania, Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Australia, and Indonesia, who are reportedly considering Chunmoo as an alternative to HIMARS [1].
Hanwha Aerospace initially contracted to deliver a total of 290 Chunmoo systems to Poland, with the first batch planned for completion by early 2025, a full 2 years ahead of schedule [1]. These systems are locally assembled in Poland, using trucks, fire control systems, and radios produced domestically, enabling quicker deployment.
The Homar-K MLRS, a modified version of the Chunmoo launcher, consists of Chunmoo launchers mounted on Polish Jelcz trucks, equipped with Polish fire control systems and radio communications. The Homar-K can carry 12 missiles, twice as many as HIMARS [1].
By mid-2025, over 80 Homar-K systems have already been delivered to the Polish army, ready to fire their first shot within 7 minutes of arriving at the firing position. The Polish Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) will localize some of the next batch of MBTs (tanks), with 117 units of the next batch to be manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, and the rest localized at the facilities of the Polish PGZ [1].
In addition to the accelerated delivery, the Chunmoo's localization benefits and rapid deployment capabilities make it a compelling alternative to HIMARS for countries prioritizing speed and domestic industrial involvement [1][4]. The Homar-K's faster delivery, combined with its ability to deploy large numbers quickly, is a critical factor influencing countries like Poland and potentially Romania in their artillery modernization choices.
[1] Source: Hanwha Aerospace press releases and company reports [4] Source: U.S. Army HIMARS programme documentation and media reports
In light of the swift delivery of the Chunmoo MLRS systems to Poland, several countries, such as Romania, Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Australia, and Indonesia, are reportedly considering the Chunmoo as an alternative to the HIMARS in their finance sectors, given its potential cost savings due to energy efficiency and shortened delivery times. The aerospace industry could see changes as more nations look to the Chunmoo's capabilities, particularly in the energy sector regarding deployment speed, as a means to accelerate their own industrial growth.
