Tallinn has reached an agreement with South Korea to acquire the K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace, in a major step toward upgrading its deep-strike artillery capabilities. The deal reflects Estonia’s commitment to strengthening national defense in coordination with NATO allies amid rising regional security challenges.
The newly acquired Chunmoo launchers will operate alongside Estonia’s HIMARS systems, which were procured from the United States in 2022 and formally delivered in January 2025. The addition of the South Korean MLRS gives the Estonian Defense Forces enhanced range, flexibility, and interoperability for future joint operations. Estonia’s defense ministry is also exploring further HIMARS purchases to reinforce its artillery formations.
Estonia becomes the second European user of the Chunmoo system, following Poland’s adoption of the platform in 2022. Poland’s initial order of more than 200 units, supplemented by a 72-unit follow-up order in 2024, has established the country as the regional hub for Chunmoo production and integration. The Polish Armed Forces refer to their localized version as the Homar-K, with deliveries having begun in 2023.
In April 2025, Hanwha Aerospace and WB Electronics initiated a joint effort to produce Chunmoo missiles in Poland, with full-scale manufacturing expected to start within three years. The partnership also includes export opportunities to other European nations, highlighting the system’s growing footprint. Later, in September 2025, Sweden’s Saab joined forces with Hanwha to explore integrating the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) with the Chunmoo launcher, further expanding its operational versatility and strike precision.
