Poland adds rocket launcher to weapons order from Korea, may opt Korean reactor tech

Poland has become a mega market for South Korean arms and nuclear energy, with Hanwha Defense drawing multi-billion-dollar order for 288 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) and state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) reportedly ready to sign a nuclear project deal in weeks.

According to the Korean Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday, Hanwha Defense under Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group has signed a basic contract with Warsaw to supply K239 MLRS Chunmoo units to the Polish army starting next year. Specific order for shipment will be decided in the final contract.

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszcza visited Korea in May to investigate weapons manufacturing sites and held talks with Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup.

Polish media ahead of the contract reported that the deal involves supply worth at least $6 billion, which is larger than the previous order worth $5.76 billion to import Korea’s homemade K2 battle tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers.

When a final contract takes place within the year, total weapons deal with Poland could reach $20 billion this year, tripling last year’s exports $7 billion.

Shares of Hanwah Aerospace which is absorbing unlisted Hanwha Defense rose 2.2 percent to 60,700 won in early Thursday session.

“The government is working together so that an actual contract is complete before the year end,” said an unnamed official from the defense ministry.

The contract will require manufacturing of key parts in Poland for technology transfer and cooperation.

The ceremony for the basic contract was held in Poland in the attendance of Hanwha Defense CEO Son Jae-il, Polish Defense Minister Blaszczak, and Yoo Dong-joon, head of ministry force and resources management at Korea’s Defense Ministry.

Chunmoo – which has maximum range of 80 kilometers – consists of vehicle-mounted launching tube and ammunition carrier. The launching tube is equipped with a weapon fire control system with real-time precision strike capability. It is capable of firing off 239 millimeter guided missiles and 227 millimeter and 130 millimeter unguided missiles.

The system has been recognized as reliable as U.S. HIMARS missile launchers that proved their precision in deployment at the Ukrainian war.

Hanwha Defense and Hyundai Rotem under earlier agreement have begun shipment of K-9 self-propelled artillery and K-2 tanks to Poland.

Hanwha Defense signed an initial actual contract with Poland in August. The company during shipment ceremony on Wednesday in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, showed off 24 K-9 artillery headed for Poland. Hanwha Defense will be supplying total 212 K-9 self-propelled artillery worth 3.2 trillion won ($2.2 billion) by 2026.

Hyundai Rotem also shipped 10 out of 180 K-2 tanks on Wednesday to Poland that will replace old tanks. The remaining tanks will be delivered by 2025.

In another potential major feat with Poland, KHNP, Korea’s state operator of nuclear reactors, is expected to sign a letter of intent within two weeks to build the eastern European country’s second nuclear power plant, according to foreign media reports on Wednesday.

The reports said that the new nuclear power plant is part of bilateral defense cooperation.

Poland is aiming to build six reactors of 1~9 gigawatt capacity. KHNP in April submitted a business proposal and has been pitted against U.S. Westinghouse Electric Corporation and EDF France.

[ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]