Croatia Signs €411.8 Million Deal With Hanwha for 18 K239 Chunmoo Rocket Launchers
Croatia signed a €411.8 million ($478 million) contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace on September 10, 2026, for 18 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher systems, making Zagreb the fourth European capital to field the platform.
At a Glance
- Contract value: €411.8 million (roughly $478 million)
- Scope: 18 K239 Chunmoo launchers, guided rockets in multiple range classes, resupply vehicles, fire-direction command vehicles, logistics support and training
- Signed in Zagreb on September 10, 2026
- Deliveries scheduled to run through 2030
- Croatia is the fourth European Chunmoo customer, after Poland, Estonia and Norway
Background
The signing ceremony brought together Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, South Korean Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) chief Lee Yong-cheol, Korea’s ambassador to Croatia Lee Seung-bum, and Hanwha Aerospace’s head of business operations, Billy Boo-hwan Lee. Under the deal, Hanwha will supply not only the launcher vehicles but also precision-guided rockets across several range bands, ammunition-carrier vehicles and fire-control command vehicles, backed by integrated logistics, lifecycle support and crew training.
Croatia had already been pursuing M142 HIMARS from the United States, and the Chunmoo order adds a second rocket-artillery source rather than replacing that track, reflecting a broader push across the region to diversify suppliers and shorten delivery timelines. Hanwha Aerospace has built a steady European export run for Chunmoo — sold to Poland as the “Homar-K,” and separately to Estonia and Norway — and Croatia’s order extends that footprint further into the Balkans.
Regional Impact
The deal adds to a wave of rocket-artillery procurement along NATO’s eastern and southeastern flank, where several militaries are rebuilding long-range fires capacity after years of underinvestment. For Turkish industry, which fields its own multiple rocket launcher families such as Kasırga and the TRLG-230 developed by Roketsan, the deal is a reminder of how competitive the European MRL export market has become, with South Korean systems now a fixture across four NATO members within a few years.
FAQ
When and where was the contract signed?
It was signed in Zagreb on September 10, 2026.
How many launchers are included?
Eighteen K239 Chunmoo launchers, together with rockets and support vehicles.
When will deliveries be complete?
Deliveries are planned to continue through 2030.
Is Croatia the first European Chunmoo buyer?
No — Poland, Estonia and Norway had already ordered the system before Croatia became the fourth European customer.
Sources
- Army Recognition, “Croatia to buy 18 K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers from South Korea”
- Defence Blog, “Croatia signs deal for 18 rocket launchers from South Korea”
- Defensehere, “Hanwha Aerospace signs €411.8 million contract with Croatia to supply Chunmoo MRLS”
- Croatia Week, “Croatia signs €435 million deal for 18 South Korean Chunmoo rocket launchers”
