First K239 Chunmoo MLRS rockets/missile Launcher arrive in Poland from South Korea.

On August 21, 2023, Poland began the process of acquiring 288 K239 Chunmoo MLRS rockets/missile launchers from South Korea. The first of these systems was unloaded at the port of Gdańsk, marking the beginning of a new era in the Polish military arsenal.
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Polish K239 Chunmoo MLRS rockets/missile Launcher (Picture source: Polish MoD )

The first of the 288 Chunmoo systems has just arrived at the port of Gdansk. It was slightly delayed as it was supposed to arrive on August 8 and be present at the armed forces parade in Poland on August 15, 2023. However, this delay was not due to the manufacturer but rather complications with the ship transporting it.

The K239 Chunmoo is a multiple rocket launcher originating from South Korea. Designed between 2009 and 2013 by the Agency for Defense Development for the launcher, with collaboration from Doosan DST for the K239L and K239T vehicles, Hanwha for the rockets, and Samyang Comtech for the armor, this artillery system has been in service since 2015. Hanwha Aerospace is responsible for manufacturing the system, while Korean Defense Industry produces the rockets. It has a unit cost of approximately ₩3.6 billion, or about $2.94 million for a launcher and a K239L vehicle in 2020.

Weighing 31 tons, the K239 Chunmoo measures 9 meters in length, 2.9 meters in width, and 3.3 meters in height. It is equipped to accommodate a crew of three in the K239L launcher vehicle and two in the K239T ammunition support vehicle. The rocket launcher is capable of firing a variety of calibers, ranging from 131 mm to 600 mm, with effective ranges from 36 km to 290 km, depending on the type of rocket used. Its firing rate for the 239 mm rocket is 6 shots in 30 seconds.

The armor of the K239 Chunmoo is made of Samyang Comtech steel, reinforced with ceramic and polymer composites, meeting the STANAG 4569 Level 2 standard. Its primary armament includes a variety of rockets, from the unguided K33 and KM26A2 to the 239 mm and 400 mm GPS-guided rockets. A project is underway to develop 400 mm rockets and another for the Ure-II ballistic missile.

Powered by a HD Hyundai Infracore DV11K 6-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine, producing 450 horsepower, the K239 Chunmoo has an Allison 4500SP transmission. With a fuel capacity of 250 liters, it can travel up to 450 km and reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h. Its guidance system is GPS-assisted, offering an accuracy of 15 m CEP for the 239 mm rockets with high explosive warheads and 2 m CEP for the Ure-II.

The agreement between Poland and South Korea is substantial, both in terms of quantity and financial commitment. The country is expected to receive a total of 288 K239 Chunmoo systems. In addition to the system that arrived, 17 more are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023. But the artillery systems are just part of the deal. Poland has also purchased 23,000 missiles to accompany these systems. The entire package comes at a hefty cost of $3.5 billion, reflecting the scale and significance of this defense acquisition.

With the addition of the Chunmoo systems, Poland significantly strengthens its artillery capabilities. The versatility and accuracy of the system make it a formidable addition to the country's defense arsenal. The deal underscores the growing defense and strategic ties between Poland and South Korea.

Poland's acquisition of the K239 Chunmoo MLRS rockets/missile launcher from South Korea highlights the country's focus on bolstering its defense capabilities. Poland has set its sights on becoming the premier land power in Europe in the very near future, and it is clearly taking the necessary steps to achieve this goal.