TSAMTO, October 21. In Warsaw on October 19, Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak approved a framework agreement for the supply of 288 MLRS K239 Chunmoo to the Polish Armed Forces.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Korea for the Management of Forces and Means Dongjun Yu Lim.
The document was signed by representatives of the Armaments Agency of Poland and the South Korean company Hanwha Defense.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not disclose the potential cost of the order, but according to South Korean media, it may amount to up to $ 6 billion.
As stated, the most important provisions of the agreement are the creation of conditions for a rapid increase in the combat capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces, a high level of "polonization" of the system and a wide range of transferred technologies aimed at developing Poland's industrial potential.
It is planned that the deliveries will be completed during 2023-2028. The first division of the K239 Chunmu consisting of 18 launchers will be delivered to Poland next year. The MLRS will be placed on the chassis of Polish Jelcz trucks, equipped with a Polish communication system and a TOPAZ combat control system. The new equipment will enter service with the 18th Mechanized Division. It is planned to reach the basic combat readiness of the first division by the end of 2023.
The sale package will also include an initial ammunition package of several thousand guided munitions with a firing range of 70 km and 290 km, as well as technical support from the manufacturer. The training package provides for the training of technical specialists in Korea in 2023, and the logistics package includes diagnostic equipment. The contractor will also provide technical support in Poland from the moment of arrival of the first K239. As a result of technology transfer, Polish industrial enterprises will be able to produce launchers and precision-guided munitions.
According to the Minister, in 2019, the Polish Ministry of Defense signed an agreement with the United States on the acquisition of the HIMARS MLRS division. The delivery of these systems will be completed next year. The Polish Ministry of Defense has also sent a request to the United States for the sale of larger batches of MLRS, but due to limited production capabilities, they cannot be delivered in the required time. For this reason, negotiations were held on the sale of K239 Chunmu with the Republic of Korea, which resulted in the signing of a framework contract for their supply.
On August 26, the Polish Ministry of Defense has already concluded two contracts with South Korean companies totaling $5.8 billion, according to which 180 K2 tanks are to be delivered to Poland in the period from 2022 to 2025, and 212 units of 155–mm K9 self-propelled howitzers are to be delivered to Poland from 2022 to 2025, and 212 units of 155-mm K9 self-propelled howitzers from 2022 to 2026. KAI has signed a contract worth about $705 million for the supply of 12 FA-50 light combat aircraft. The first batch of K2 tanks and K9 howitzers was handed over to representatives of the Polish Armed Forces on October 19.
As reported by TSAMTO, developed by the South Korean company Hanwha Defense MLRS K239 "Chunmu" (Chunmoo) was adopted by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea in August 2015. The combat vehicle with the 8x8 wheel formula is equipped with an armored cabin that provides protection for a three-man crew from small arms fire and artillery shell fragments. The MLRS is equipped with an artillery unit with two transport and launch containers, each of which can accommodate guided or unguided ammunition. In particular, each container can be equipped with 20 unguided 131-mm K33 rockets with a firing range of 36 km, six unguided 230-mm RS (analogous to the M270 MLRS used) with a firing range of 45 km, six 239-mm guided RS with a firing range of 70 km, two 400 mm OTR with a range of shooting more than 200 km, or one 600-mm OTR with a maximum range of 290 km.
The length of the PC caliber 239 mm is 3.96 m . It is equipped with a combined inertial/ GPS navigation system and is used in two modes: undermining the warhead over the target when the enemy's manpower is hit, and delayed action for the destruction of fortified structures. The launch of 6 RS from one container can be made in 30 seconds, so a full volley from two containers takes 1 min. Recharging two TPCs takes 7 minutes.
Developments are also underway in the Republic of Korea, as a result of which the firing range of the K239 Chunmu MLRS is planned to be increased.
