Saab and Hanwha Aerospace are exploring a new collaboration to increase the firepower of South Korea’s Chunmoo rocket artillery system. The companies have signed an MoU to investigate integrating Saab’s Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), a move that could significantly expand the platform’s operational roles. By combining GLSDB’s precision and extended range with Chunmoo’s saturation fire capabilities, the partnership seeks to create a more versatile strike asset for allied forces.
The Chunmoo system has rapidly expanded its international footprint. Beyond its initial deployment in South Korea, it has been procured by the armed forces of Poland, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Designed for modularity, Chunmoo carries two pods on its 8×8 Hanwha chassis. These pods can be fitted with different payloads, ranging from 130mm rockets with 36-kilometer reach to larger 227mm or 239mm rockets with 80-kilometer ranges, or even a tactical ballistic missile capable of striking targets at 290 kilometers.
Meanwhile, the GLSDB merges the U.S.-developed GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb with an M26 rocket motor. This hybrid provides ground forces with precision engagement at ranges up to 150 kilometers, bridging the gap between traditional rocket artillery and advanced long-range missile systems. If successfully integrated, Chunmoo could evolve into a multi-role launcher combining both massed fires and pinpoint precision strikes, dramatically increasing its battlefield value.
