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| Poland Purchases 288 K239 Chunmoo Rocket Launchers from South Korea |
Seoul - Poland will buy rocket launchers in its latest arms deal with South Korea, following deliveries of tanks and howitzers in previous deals. The purchase of this military equipment was carried out by Poland after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, South Korean officials said Wednesday (19/10/2022).
Quoted from Reuters, Poland is expected to sign a deal with Hanwha Defense, the defense unit of South Korea's Hanwha Corp this week. "This deal is to purchase several K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers," the officials said.
Under the contract, South Korea will supply 288 multiple rocket launchers worth $6 billion, the Yonhap news agency reported. Hanwha Defense declined to confirm details of the contract when contacted by Reuters, saying the deal was not yet closed. "Contracts could be signed as early as this week," said an industry source who asked not to be named.
The expected deal comes when the South Korean company sends the first batch of tanks and howitzers to Poland. The two countries signed a $5.8 billion contract in Warsaw in July in a deal that Poland said was a key part of its efforts to bolster its military capabilities following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The February 24 invasion, which Russia calls a “special military operation”, has raised security concerns among many countries of the former eastern bloc, and NATO member Poland has pledged to increase defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product and more than double the size of the country. his troops.
Hyundai Rotem Co. said its first shipment included 10 K2 Black Panther tanks, among 180 to be delivered by 2025. Hanwha Defense said it delivered 24 K9 self-propelled howitzers, among 212 to be delivered by 2026. Poland has also agreed to purchase 48 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea. Mariusz Blaszczak, Poland's defense minister, said in a July media interview that the plane would be delivered next year.