The Croatian MoD signed a contract with Hanwha Aerospace on 10 September for the supply of 18 K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), with associated support vehicles and munitions. The €412 million contract further expands Hanwha’s rapidly growing European footprint and establishes a firm foundation for a long-term relationship with Croatia, according to company sources.
Deliveries under the contract will be effected through 2030 and the Croatian platforms will feature the WB Group (Poland) TOPAZ battlefield management system, thereby supporting interoperability among European Chunmoo fleets. The sale, “one of the largest investments in the equipment and modernization of the Croatian Armed Forces,” according to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, reflects a very rapid rise to stardom in Europe for Hanwha, which has come from an environment in which it was a relatively minor player to being a name on almost everybody’s lips in the span of a very few years. As part of its growth and in a style familiar to users of the corporation’s other systems, Hanwha announced it will be establishing a Chunmoo Users Group in 2027, following a workshop conducted earlier this month in Estonia.
The 300km-range system has already been selected by Estonia, Norway and Poland, which bodes well for the continually vexing issue of interoperability between NATO and allied forces. Modular, flexible and built with integration onto multiple platforms in mind, the architecture offers maximum choice for potential operators seeking to integrate Chunmoo into existing C2 networks.
Headline image Croatia will operate a total of 18 Chunmoo MLRS, to be delivered by 2030. (Hanwha Aerospace)
