Kielce: South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace Co. has entered into an agreement with Poland's WB Group to establish a joint venture aimed at producing guided missiles for the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) within Poland, officials announced. This collaboration marks Hanwha Aerospace's inaugural joint venture with a prominent Polish defense firm, signifying Poland's growing importance as a strategic partner for South Korea's defense exports.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the partnership with WB Group, Poland's largest defense company, will facilitate the production of the 80-kilometer-range guided missile (CGR-80) for the Homar-K, the export variant of the Chunmoo system destined for Poland. The agreement was formalized by Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, Piotr Wojciechowski, president of WB Group, and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland's deputy prime minister, during a ceremony at the MSPO 2025 international defense industry expo held in Kielce, Poland.
The joint venture will be supported by a phased technology transfer program, which includes a certified quality management system and structured workforce training. Initial serial production is slated to gradually increase and achieve significant progress by the end of 2028. The factory plans to create approximately 250 skilled positions in Poland and develop new rocket types to meet the future needs of Poland and allied nations, adhering to both Polish defense procurement rules and South Korean export control regulations.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the importance of the venture, stating, "We are gaining the capability to produce missiles for the Homar-K launcher. It's a milestone. We are becoming increasingly self-reliant in defense manufacturing. We're not only buying weapons -- we're bringing their production to Poland."
Son highlighted the venture's goals to localize CGR-080 manufacturing, transfer critical know-how, and co-develop next-generation munitions with Polish partners. "It is a commitment of investment, people and technology in Poland, for a safer Europe," he said. The joint venture aims to primarily supply guided rockets to Poland and explore export opportunities to other European countries following consultations with WB Group.
This initiative aligns with South Korea's broader strategy to expand its defense exports in Europe, especially amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In recent years, Poland has engaged in several defense agreements with South Korea, acquiring K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 light attack aircraft, further solidifying the defense partnership between the two nations.