• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

K-239 Chunmoo Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)

The K-239 Chunmoo is a self-propelled wheeled multi-missile launcher capable of firing various calibers of rockets. K239 Chunmoo combines mobility of M142 HIMARS and firepower of the M270 MLRS. K239 carries two relodable pods like M270 while having wheeled chassis like M142. It carries two missile containers, each of which can contain up to six 239 mm guided missiles with a range of approximately 80 km or one ballistic missile with a range of approximately 290 km.

The development of K-MLRS Cheonmoo began in 2009, it was reported that firing tests were conducted. The K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher was developed by both Hanwha Corporation and Doosan DST: The rocket was developed by Hanwha and the launcher by Doosan. The Chunmoo is a multi-caliber rocket system and the rockets can be fired from the same platform but have different ranges.

In a bid to help upgrade the Army's artillery capabilities, the DAPA approved 22 July 2008 a plan to develop an indigenous multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) with a range of 60 kilometers. The new MLRS will replace an aging fleet of 130mm MLRS, having a range of 36 kilometers, that have been operational since 1981, DAPA officials said. The MLRS development and production would cost about 1 trillion won, they said. Mass production will start by 2013.

A total of 73 MLRS are scheduled to be produced under a first phase of mass production that will begin in 2014, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said. The 154-billion won (US$117 million) development project was approved 17 December 2008 at a meeting of the Defense Acquisition Project Execution Committee, chaired by Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee. "Once the new MLRS are commissioned following a successful development, they will not only greatly improve the Army's artillery power, but will also have a great impact on our economic development through exports," an official from the acquisition agency told reporters. The developer for the new rocket launcher will be named through future biddings, according to the official.

Defense contractor Hanwha should enjoy top-line growth on the development and supply of MLRS and guided weapons. In early 2005, latecomers in an attempt to expand their market shares started a price war in theindustrial explosives business. Despite fierce price competition, new sales of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), caused Hanwha's 2005 sales and operating profit in the explosives division to rise 33.4% and 6% YoY, respectively. For the trading division, as raw materials prices, which skyrocketed in end-2004, lowered, Hanwha's sales and operating profit fell 20.1% and 39.2% YoY, respectively. Since 3Q05, industrial explosive prices displayed signals of a recovery to normal levels. Furthermore, the second contract shipment of the MLRS division started in 2006.

After being designated as a national defense contractor in 1974, Hanwha has established a foundation as a comprehensive national defense contractor by expanding the business scope to include not only the production of general ammunition, such as the mortar bomb, grenade and 130MM / 227MM multiple launcher rocket system, but intelligent ammunition and precision-guided weapons and systems as well.

Hanwha had already produced and deployed 130mm (36-round) MLRS with the Army since the early 1980s. In April, DAPA approved a plan to develop an indigenous 65-kilometer-range 230mm MLRS by 2013 to replace the 130mm MLRS fleet with a range of 36 kilometers and improve the Army's counter-artillery capability against North Korea. Hanwha was in charge of system integration and build guided and non-guided rockets, while Doosan DST will build the launch pad and vehicle.

K-MLRS Cheonmoo rocket system is mounted on a special wheeled chassis, has high mobility and can especially be transported by aircraft equivalent to C-130. The K-MLRS Cheonmoo artillery unit is mounted on the modified chassis of a four-axle truck. This chassis type was chosen to reduce the cost of the system, its operation and maintenance costs. However, compared to the tracked chassis type, the wheeled chassis has less cross-country ability. The cockpit of the combat vehicle is armored and provides protection of the calculation numbers against small-calibre weapons and artillery shell fragments. The roof of the cabin has a hatch.

The LM is equipped with a load-lifting device, probably similar to that of the MLRS LM. The recharging time is 10 minutes. The system includes a transport and charging machine on an 8x8 chassis, which carries two sets of transport and discharge containers, i.e. four TPKs.

In addition to this rocket system, South Korea currently has more than 150 systems of 150 Kooryong KM809A1, similar to the Russian Grad type, and a similar number of American-made rocket systems such as the M270. Thus, the total number of multiple rocket launcher systems of South Korea is currently only about 300. Meanwhile, this number of North Korea is about 5,100 systems.

The South Korean military said that the main task of the K-MLRS is to suppress North Korean artillery systems in the event of a military conflict. Each North Korean corps-level unit has a multiple rocket launcher with two battalions of 122 mm and one battalion of 240 mm. Each battalion has 18 systems. In particular, the 240 mm type is considered to be the biggest threat to the Korean capital Seoul. Each 240 mm system has between 12 and 22 rounds. Each projectile of this type has the ability to destroy and damage an area of 80 m2.

Poland National Defence Minister Mariusz Biaszczak reached a framework agreement with the South Korean Government to procure 288 K239 Chunmoo launchers for the 18th Mechanized Division to serve Nato's eastern flank. On October 19, in the presence of, Dongjoon YOO LIM, Deputy Minister of Defense for Force and Resource Management of the Republic of Korea, and Il Sung, Deputy Minister of the Defense Purchase Planning Agency, the head of the Polish Ministry of Defense approved a framework agreement for the delivery of 239 Chunmoo launchers to the Polish Armed Forces. Poland has completed negotiations with South Korea on the purchase of K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) developed by Hawnha Defense.

“I would like to thank you for the very fruitful defense cooperation between Poland and South Korea. The analysis of the war in Ukraine underlines particular value of the artillery. Hence, we decided to strengthen Polish artillery, emphasizing rocket artillery” said Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak during the agreement signing ceremony 19 October 2022 of yet another South Korean military equipment.

On October 19, in Warsaw, in the presence of, among others, Dongjoon YOO LIM, Deputy Minister of Defense for Force and Resource Management of the Republic of Korea, and Il Sung, Deputy Minister of the Defense Purchase Planning Agency, the head of the Polish Ministry of Defense approved a framework agreement for the delivery of 288 cutting-edge Korean K239 Chunmoo launchers to the Polish Armed Forces.

“In 2019, an agreement with the United States to acquire the HIMARS sets for the Polish Armed Forces was signed. The shipment of this equipment is scheduled for the next year. We submitted an inquiry for larger deliveries, but unfortunately due to limited industrial capabilities, it will not be possible for the equipment to be delivered in a satisfactory timeframe. Therefore, we started talks with South Korea - our proven partner. The discussion resulted in the signing of a framework contract for the acquisition of the K239 Chunmoo” sDeputy Prime Minister M. Błaszczak explained the decision to intensify cooperation with the South Korean industry.

The head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the capabilities of K239 Chunmoo are comparable to the previously ordered HIMARS sets. “Chunmoo, in terms of characteristics, is very similar to the HIMARS. It is an excellent weapon. I believe that the fact that the first Chunmoo sets will be delivered to Poland as early as next year is the best and most tangible achievement of the joint Polish-Korean efforts. The next success is that Chunmoos will be mounted on Jelcz trucks, built by the Polish Armaments Group. The sets will be equipped with Polish means of communication and the battlefield management system. Thanks to that, the full operability of the equipment will be achieved as early as next year, so almost immediately upon their delivery” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

“18 launchers, coming to Poland next year, will be delivered to the 18th Mechanized Division. They will serve the protection of NATO's eastern flank, thus the safety of eastern Poland. It will be an appropriate response to the threats against our security. The goal is to effectively scare the aggressor, to show our strength so that the aggressor does not dare to attack Poland nor any countries of the North Atlantic Alliance” said the head of the Ministry of National Defense.