Croatia Signs $506 Million Deal for South Korean Chunmoo Rocket Launchers
Croatia’s government has approved the acquisition of 18 K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems from South Korea, a contract worth roughly €435.2 million excluding VAT — about $506 million — in what amounts to the country’s largest artillery modernization push in decades. The deal is meant to retire artillery pieces that trace back to the Yugoslav and Soviet era and give the Croatian Armed Forces strike capability far beyond anything currently in their arsenal.
At a Glance
- Croatia has approved an approximately $506 million (€435.2 million, excl. VAT) contract for 18 K239 Chunmoo launchers.
- The system, mounted on an 8×8 truck chassis, can strike targets up to 300 km away depending on munition type — a sharp jump from Croatia’s current roughly 20 km range.
- Chunmoo carries two interchangeable rocket pods and can fire up to eight rockets in under 60 seconds.
- Its munitions range from 131mm/230mm unguided rockets to 239mm guided rockets (80 km) and CTM-290 tactical ballistic missiles (290 km).
- Procurement runs from 2026 to 2029, with deliveries expected within 24-36 months; Croatian media report roughly 85% could arrive by 2028.
- South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace is the prime contractor, while Poland’s WB Electronics will integrate the command-and-control system.
Background
For years, Croatia’s long-range fire support has rested on artillery inherited from the former Yugoslav military, much of it lacking modern digital fire-control systems and limited to ranges around 20 kilometers. As regional threat perceptions hardened, Zagreb initially moved toward the US-made HIMARS, approving an August 2024 deal worth $390 million for eight launchers. But US restrictions on long-range munitions exports and uncertain delivery schedules pushed Croatian officials to look elsewhere. South Korea’s offer of faster delivery, lower unit costs and a broader munitions catalog ultimately tipped the decision toward Chunmoo. The choice was also shaped by developments closer to home: neighboring Serbia has already fielded Israeli-made PULS rocket systems, adding a competitive edge to the arms buildup underway across the Balkans.
Regional Impact
Croatia’s shift from HIMARS to Chunmoo is a telling data point in the reshuffling of the global MLRS export market. Turkey’s ROKETSAN has long competed in a similar segment with its TRG and Kasirga rocket families, offering guided rockets and tactical ballistic missiles with ranges up to 300 km, going up against American, Chinese and Israeli rivals for export contracts. South Korea’s entry into Europe through Chunmoo — and now specifically into NATO’s southeastern flank — signals that procurement decisions in the region no longer hinge on a single traditional supplier; delivery speed and munitions flexibility are increasingly what wins contracts. For Turkish exporters like ROKETSAN, that is both a warning and an opening: in a market where comparable systems now compete on price and delivery timelines rather than brand loyalty, emphasizing speed and flexibility will matter more than ever.
FAQ
What munitions can the Chunmoo fire? It can launch 131mm and 230mm unguided rockets, 239mm guided rockets with an 80 km range, and CTM-290 tactical ballistic missiles reaching up to 290 km.
Why did Croatia choose Chunmoo over HIMARS? US restrictions on long-range munitions and slower delivery timelines pushed Zagreb toward South Korea’s faster, more flexible offer.
When will deliveries be completed? The procurement runs from 2026 to 2029, with deliveries expected within 24-36 months of signing; Croatian media suggest most units could arrive by 2028.
