Defense Minister Rushes to First K239 Chunmoo Export to Croatia... "Starting Point for Long-term Cooperation"

[Financial News] Hanwha Aerospace announced on the 11th that it has signed a supply contract for the advanced multiple launch rocket system K239 Chunmoo with Croatia. This project was actively supported by the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back even skipped the National Assembly's interpellation session to attend the local signing ceremony.
Hanwha Aerospace will supply Croatia with 18 K239 Chunmoo launchers, as well as ammunition carriers, fire control vehicles, and medium- to long-range precision-guided missiles by 2030. It will also provide support for Command and Control (C2) system integration, training, and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). Furthermore, it will establish an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) system in cooperation with local companies and pursue mid- to long-term localization.
This is the third time this year that Hanwha Aerospace has exported K239 Chunmoo to Europe. It was exported to Norway in January and Estonia in May. Prior to that, it was also exported to Poland. This brings the number of European countries operating K239 Chunmoo to four.
Hanwha Aerospace and the government, which supported this order, view the export of K239 Chunmoo as a crucial stepping stone for expanding their presence in the European market. This explains why the company's business director Lee Bu-hwan emphasized that "this contract marks the starting point for long-term defense cooperation with Croatia." Going beyond simple equipment supply to pursue localization and the establishment of a logistics support system is also a strategic move to expand into the European market.
Flexibility is cited as a key factor in the increased exports of K239 Chunmoo to Europe. As a multiple launch rocket system, it enables the operation of various precision-guided missiles and is configured to meet the specific requirements of each country. Furthermore, its mass production system allows for rapid delivery. This is why Hanwha Aerospace is able to announce plans to launch the 'Chunmoo User Club' next year, where countries operating K239 Chunmoo can share their know-how.
The government has also been actively working to expand the K-defense market in Europe. Recognizing the significance of this, Minister Ahn Gyu-back skipped the National Assembly's interpellation session to attend the contract signing ceremony held at the Prime Minister's Office in Zagreb, Croatia, on the 10th (local time).
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister Ahn Gyu-back, Defense Acquisition Program Administration Administrator Lee Yong-cheol, and Hanwha Aerospace Business Director Lee Bu-hwan from the Korean side, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić from the Croatian side. Prime Minister Plenković expressed his anticipation, stating, "The K239 Chunmoo contract is one of the largest investments in the modernization of the Croatian military," and added, "We will expand defense cooperation between the two countries in the future."

[email protected] Kim Yun-ho Reporter