Estonia has solidified a deal to acquire K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers from South Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace. This decision follows public indications that a subsequent order of American-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) might face significant delays, prompting Tallinn to seek alternative solutions to bolster its defense capabilities.
Deep-Strike Capability Boost
„It is important for Estonia to have the ability to influence the enemy deep within its territory,” stated Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur in a press release. „To this end, it is necessary to increase Estonia’s deep-strike capability with additional rocket launchers.” Specific details regarding the number of Chunmoo systems to be acquired and the total value of the deal were not disclosed.
Complementing HIMARS
Estonia initially invested in six Lockheed Martin-manufactured HIMARS systems in 2022, amounting to $200 million, which were delivered earlier this year. While Tallinn initially intended to place a second order for HIMARS, concerns surrounding potential production delays led Pevkur to explore alternative options. In a February interview, Pevkur revealed that the Chunmoo was under consideration. However, today’s announcement clarifies that the Chunmoo acquisition is intended to supplement, not replace, future HIMARS units.
Awaiting US Delivery Dates
„We began developing our deep-strike capability with the acquisition of US HIMARS rocket launchers, and we have also agreed with the US on the acquisition of additional HIMARS units, for which we are currently awaiting exact delivery dates from the US,” Pevkur confirmed.
Hanwha’s Growing Presence in Europe
In addition to the Chunmoo systems, Estonia’s K9 self-propelled howitzers are also manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace. This latest agreement underscores Hanwha’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in the European defense market. Michael Coulter, head of Hanwha Global Defense, recently stated that the company aims to establish „footprints in key global markets like what we started with in Australia and are now doing in Europe.”
Partnership with Diehl Defence
In a separate announcement, Hanwha revealed a partnership with Germany’s Diehl Defence, signing a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on ground-based air defense solutions. This venture aims to combine the complementary capabilities of both companies and pursue new market opportunities by jointly offering solutions to potential customers, including Korea.
