Poland to Produce Guided Missiles for Rocket Launchers Following S. Korea Defense Deal

Poland will start producing guided missiles for its rocket launchers following an agreement between a Polish manufacturer and a South Korean company.

The deal, which was signed on Tuesday in the presence of government officials, means that the Warsaw-based WB Group and Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace will set up a joint venture to produce the rockets. 

It also involves the sharing of expertise and technology so that the domestically built weapons can be used by other missile systems in the Polish armed forces’ arsenal. 

It is hoped that missiles for the Homar-K system, based on South Korea’s K239 Chunmoo launchers, will start rolling off Polish production lines within three years. 

The authorities in Warsaw have been pushing to enhance the country’s defense capability since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the defense budget this year is set to reach 4.7% of GDP. 

Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda said that the joint venture between a homegrown firm and a foreign company was an example that can be followed by others. 

“I encourage other countries to do the same, including the United States,” Bejda said. “[Defense Minister] Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has made it clear: if foreign businesses bring [new] technology and development opportunities to Polish arms manufacturers, it is absolutely a step in the right direction.” 

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Bejda added that the arms deal, driven by the private sector, shows the government is giving state-owned and privately run arms companies equal opportunity to supply Poland’s army. 

“Congratulations once again, and I believe that we will meet soon at the signing of the contract between the Armament Agency and your joint venture for the delivery of missiles with a range of 80 km, manufactured in Poland,” he said. 

Warsaw and Seoul have already developed a strong partnership in defense technology supplies. South Korea was Poland’s second-biggest supplier of major weapons from 2020 to 2024, providing 42% of all imports, just behind the U.S. at 45%. 

Poland has ordered a total of 290 Chunmoo launchers, which are to be integrated into the Homar-K system; 90 are already in service with the Polish armed forces, according to reports. 

Along with rocket launchers, Poland has also ordered Korean-made K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 combat trainer aircraft.  

Last month, Hanwha’s subsidiary Hanwha Defense also announced plans to develop a howitzer factory and regional hub in Romania.