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| K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers in this 2019 file photo / Korea Times file |
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Poland will purchase nearly 300 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers from Korea and the artillery weapon system will be provided to the European country by next year, according to a Polish media outlet.
In a media interview on Oct. 14th, Polish Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said negotiations between Poland and South Korea had been completed and a contract will be signed during his visit to South Korea next week.
"It's an excellent artillery weapon and based on our observations from the war in Ukraine we can clearly see how much advantage artillery can create on the battlefield," Blaszczak was quoted as saying in an interview with local news site I.PL.
His remarks came after Ukraine was able to change the course of the war against Russia after the use of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS in late June and early July. The missiles have been used to hit Russian targets, such as bridges that Russia occupied during the war, and command posts.
Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice Party, in power since fall 2015, has been strengthening the country's armed forces in response to neighboring Russia's policies and actions.
The K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher was developed by both Hanwha Corporation and Doosan DST: The rocket was developed by Hanwha and the launcher by Doosan.
The Chunmoo is a multi-caliber rocket system and the rockets can be fired from the same platform but have different ranges.
Last year, the Polish government announced a plan to purchase 500 HIMARS launchers from the United States. But the plan has been adjusted since then.
"We're aware that we will not receive all 500 HIMARS launchers, for which we have sent a letter of request, within a timeline that would be satisfactory for us," the Polish defense minister said, noting that the Polish government, therefore, decided to purchase both the HIMARS and the Chunmoo.
Minister Blaszczak will arrive in Seoul on Monday. South Korea and Poland are expected to sign a contract during his Seoul visit.
The news came months after the two countries agreed on a $5.8-billion contract in August for Hyundai Rotem to sell tanks and Hanwha Defense to provide howitzers to Poland.
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