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How South Korea Is Powering the Rise of Poland’s Long Range Missile Industry for Homar-K MLRS.
Industrial cooperation between Poland and South Korea has reached a new milestone in the field of long-range artillery with the official announcement of a letter of intent to enable the production of rockets for the Homar-K multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) on Polish soil. According to information reported by Polskie Radio 24 and confirmed by industrial sources, the agreement is scheduled to be signed on April 15, 2025, between the Polish company WB Electronics and the South Korean firm Hanwha Aerospace. This initiative forms part of a broader long-term strategy aimed at increasing Poland’s defense industrial autonomy while reinforcing strategic partnerships with Asia, particularly in the domain of long-range strike deterrence.
The Homar-K system is designed to combine mobility, modularity, and precision. Mounted on a locally produced 8x8 Jelcz chassis, it is capable of firing a wide variety of both guided and unguided munitions (Picture source: Polish MoD)
The project outlines the launch of local rocket production within a three-year timeframe. Although the exact type of munition has not been officially disclosed, available data suggests it will likely involve the development of 239 mm rockets capable of striking targets at distances up to 200 kilometers. These munitions would expand the arsenal of the Homar-K system, which is the Polish variant of South Korea’s K239 Chunmoo launcher, mounted on Jelcz P882.57 tactical trucks. The industrial partnership with Hanwha Aerospace paves the way for enhanced control over critical supply chains by reducing dependence on foreign production facilities and simultaneously strengthening Poland’s regional strike capabilities, particularly in response to systems such as North Korea’s 300 mm KN-09.
The Homar-K system is designed to combine mobility, modularity, and precision. Mounted on a locally produced 8x8 Jelcz chassis, it is capable of firing a wide variety of both guided and unguided munitions. Among these is the CGR-080 guided rocket, equipped with GPS/INS navigation, offering a range between 30 and 80 kilometers and a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 15 meters. This gives it a slight range advantage over the U.S.-produced M31 GMLRS used with HIMARS, which has a maximum range of 70 kilometers. The Homar-K is also compatible with more powerful munitions such as the CTM-MR (50–160 km) and CTM-290 (80–290 km) guided rockets, as well as IIR-guided anti-ship munitions. This broad compatibility makes the Homar-K a modular and adaptable system suitable for a variety of operational contexts.
Already integrated into the Polish Land Forces, the Homar-K is part of a large-scale acquisition program. The Polish Ministry of Defence has ordered a total of 290 units as part of a framework agreement signed in 2022, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2029. An industrial implementation contract was signed in April 2024, and by April 2025, 90 systems had already been delivered, representing nearly half of the total order. A significant operational milestone was reached on December 7, 2024, when the first live firing of the Homar-K took place at the Polish Air Force’s central training ground in Ustka. This test, conducted by the 18th Missile Brigade, demonstrated the system’s accuracy and reliability, notably through the successful launch of a CGR-080 guided rocket.
In its heavy configuration, the system can deploy two Ure-2 ballistic missiles (CTM-290), with operational ranges between 180 and 280 kilometers (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The range of munitions compatible with the Homar-K is extensive and tailored to diverse mission profiles. The launcher can carry up to 40 K33 rockets of 131 mm caliber with a range of 36 kilometers, or 12 KM26A2 unguided rockets of 230 mm reaching up to 45 kilometers. It can also fire up to 12 CGR-080 guided rockets of 239 mm caliber, available with either unitary high-explosive or cluster warheads, with a maximum range of 80 kilometers. In its heavy configuration, the system can deploy two Ure-2 ballistic missiles (CTM-290), with operational ranges between 180 and 280 kilometers. The planned domestic production of long-range rockets will further expand this portfolio, providing greater strike depth for Polish artillery forces.
This development of strategic industrial capacity comes at a time of heightened security concerns in Eastern Europe, underlining Poland’s drive to modernize its deterrence and long-range strike capabilities. The technological expansion reflects Warsaw’s intent to take a leading role in strengthening Europe’s defense pillar while improving national resilience to potential supply disruptions during prolonged conflicts. By establishing local production of advanced munitions, Poland not only enhances its ability to sustain operations but also positions itself as a future regional provider of precision-guided weapons systems.
The strategic agreement between WB Electronics and Hanwha Aerospace for the local production of long-range missiles for the Homar-K system illustrates the evolving nature of Euro-Asian defense partnerships. By pursuing partial independence from external supply chains and integrating precision strike capabilities into its land forces, Poland is reinforcing both its national defense posture and its contribution to collective European security. The launch of domestic rocket production will mark a decisive step in the transformation of Poland’s artillery forces and their adaptation to contemporary threat environments.