K-Defense, Record High Export of $17 Billion This Year Thanks to 'Cheonmu'

Multiple Launch Rocket System 'Cheonmu'... $3.5 Billion First Phase Implementation Contract
Total 288 Units Contracted... Over 200 Units Exported in First Phase

Domestic Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) 'Cheonmu'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] With the signing of the first implementation contract to sell the domestically produced Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) 'Cheonmu' to Poland, this year's defense industry export orders have reached $17 billion (approximately 24.1 trillion KRW), marking an all-time high.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that Hanwha Aerospace signed the first implementation contract worth $3.55 billion (approximately 5 trillion KRW) on the 4th with the Polish Armaments Agency to export the 230mm class MLRS Cheonmu. The total contract volume between Hanwha Aerospace and Poland is 288 Cheonmu units, and it is reported that about 200 units will be delivered under this first contract.

Korea's defense export orders maintained an average annual scale of $3 billion until 2020, then rapidly grew to $7.25 billion last year.

This year, especially, by securing a mega weapon export contract worth $12.4 billion (approximately 17.6 trillion KRW) with Poland, the performance more than doubled compared to the previous year. The $12.4 billion contract with Poland includes the Cheonmu contract as well as the implementation contracts for the K-2 tanks and K-9 self-propelled howitzers signed on August 26, and the FA-50 light attack aircraft signed on September 16.

A DAPA official explained, "The $17 billion far exceeds Korea's annual weapon import volume of around $5 billion," adding, "It is a remarkable achievement accomplished about 50 years after Korea entered the defense industry in the 1970s."

On October 26, the third day of the Hoguk-Hwarang training, the Cheonryong Battalion of the 2nd Artillery Brigade, 2nd Army Corps, is entering combat readiness by deploying the K-239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, assuming a full-scale war situation in the Hwacheon-gun area of Gangwon Province.
[Photo by 2nd Army Corps]

DAPA analyzed that this achievement resulted from the government's will to foster the defense industry as a national strategic industry, the production capacity of defense companies capable of timely providing customized weapon systems for demand countries, the support of the Korean military backing this, and the advantage of weapon systems verified in real combat through long-term combined Korea-US exercises.

In particular, the export of Cheonmu to Poland is expected to greatly contribute to strengthening international solidarity with the European region and expanding the scope of Korea's security capabilities. Korea and Poland plan to further develop defense cooperation through technological collaboration, joint research and development, joint production, and entry into third-country markets.

At the Cheonmu implementation contract signing event held via video conference, DAPA Administrator Eom Dong-hwan said, "The export of Cheonmu is another great achievement brought about by collaboration between defense companies and the government," and added, "We will support smooth export activities of our defense companies."

Meanwhile, Cheonmu is an MLRS with a range of about 80 km capable of real-time precision strikes. It can fire 239mm guided rockets, 227mm unguided rockets, and 130mm unguided rockets. It is evaluated to be more powerful than the US-made 'HIMARS' MLRS, which has been troubling Russian forces in the Ukraine war. HIMARS carries six 227mm rockets, but Cheonmu carries 12 rockets, boasting about twice the firepower of HIMARS.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.