Poland to procure South Korean rocket launchers

Poland is set to sign a deal with Hanwha Defence, the defense unit of South Korea’s Hanwha Corp for the procurement of K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.

This is part of Poland’s move to ramp up arms imports after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, South Korean officials said on Wednesday.

Under the contract, South Korea will supply 288 multiple rocket launchers, with 18 expected to arrive in Poland as early as 2023, the Polish defence ministry said.

The agreement comes as South Korean companies shipped the first batch of tanks and howitzers to Poland.

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The two countries signed a $5.8 billion contract in Warsaw in July in a deal that Poland said was a key part of its effort to beef up its military after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hyundai Rotem Co. said its first shipment included 10 K2 Black Panther tanks of the 180 to be delivered by 2025.

Hanwha Defense said it was sending 24 K9 self-propelled howitzers, among 212 to be shipped by 2026.

Poland has also agreed to buy 48 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea. Mariusz Blaszczak, Poland’s defence minister, said in a July media interview the aircraft would be delivered next year.

Poland has vowed to boost defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product and to more than double the size of its army.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised security fears among many former eastern bloc countries.

Zainab Sa’id