WB Group and Hanwha Aerospace Join Forces for Production of CGR-080 Missiles for Poland’s HOMAR-K MLRS.

At the 2024 KADEX International Defense Exhibition, Poland's WB Group and South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace signed an agreement to establish a joint venture focused on producing CGR-080 missiles for Poland's HOMAR-K artillery systems. This initiative strengthens defense ties between Poland and South Korea, with the latter already deploying these missiles on its K239 Chunmoo launchers and having acquired Warmate 3 loitering munitions produced by WB Group. This new alliance builds on a series of collaborations aimed at integrating advanced technologies and bolstering Poland’s defense industry.
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This cooperation with Hanwha Aerospace includes the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in Poland, though the exact location has yet to be determined (Picture source: ArmyRecognition)

The agreement was signed on October 2 in the presence of Poland’s Deputy Minister of National Defense, Paweł Bejda, and Cho Hyun-ki, representing South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). This cooperation with Hanwha Aerospace includes the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in Poland, though the exact location has yet to be determined. Once operational, the facility will be capable of producing several thousand CGR-080 missiles annually—a crucial capacity to support the over 200 HOMAR-K launchers purchased by Poland.

The initial delivery of HOMAR-K launchers to the Polish Armed Forces began recently, marking a significant milestone in Poland’s artillery modernization. On August 12, 2024, the 1st Masurian Artillery Brigade of the 16th Mechanized Division received its first four HOMAR-K systems—K239 Chunmoo launchers mounted on Jelcz P882.57 TS T45 K-MLRS 8x8 chassis. Inspired by the American HIMARS system but produced locally in collaboration with international partners, the HOMAR-K is designed to provide long-range fire support. Its modular configuration allows it to be equipped with 12 guided 239mm rockets, each with an 80-kilometer range, or long-range ballistic missiles with a reach of 290 kilometers, making it a strategic asset in Poland’s defense framework.

These acquisitions are part of a broader modernization plan, aimed at replacing aging Soviet-era systems, such as the BM-21 Grad. An agreement signed in October 2022 between Poland's Armament Agency and Hanwha Aerospace outlines the acquisition of 288 K239 Chunmoo launchers, with initial units integrated in Poland. Furthermore, an additional agreement signed in April 2024 includes the delivery of 72 additional launchers by 2029, bringing the total to 290 units. This phased deployment of modern systems ensures that Poland is well-equipped to address current security challenges.

The Homar-K system, developed to enhance Poland's defense capabilities, is a domestic version of the HIMARS system, produced by the Polish defense industry in collaboration with international partners, including Lockheed Martin (Picture source: Polish Army)

Mounted on the robust Jelcz 8x8 truck, the HOMAR-K offers enhanced mobility, essential for implementing "shoot and scoot" tactics that enable Polish forces to fire and rapidly reposition, reducing vulnerability to counter-attacks. The system also integrates with the Topaz combat management platform and Fonet and Radmor digital communication systems, allowing coordinated operations with NATO command and control networks.

The partnership between WB Group and Hanwha Aerospace focuses on producing the 239mm version of the CGR-080 missile, optimized for the HOMAR-K and capable of reaching targets up to 80 kilometers away. The production facility, expected to be operational within two years pending further funding, represents a step forward in Poland’s goal of military self-sufficiency in arms production. By choosing to manufacture these munitions locally, Poland enhances its strategic resilience and ensures a steady supply of missiles for its artillery units, reinforcing its defensive posture.

This joint initiative by WB Group and Hanwha Aerospace underscores Poland’s commitment to strengthening its national defense while advancing its domestic defense industry. This joint venture, combined with the successive deliveries of HOMAR-K systems, marks a key step in Poland's artillery transformation, preparing the country to meet future security challenges in Eastern Europe.