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The K239 Chunmoo[note 1] (Korean: 천무; Hanja: 天橆; RR: Cheon-mu) is a rocket artillery system developed in 2013 to replace the aging K136 Kooryong of the South Korean military.[5]

Key Information

History

[edit]
A K239 MLRS battery is launching a K33 131 mm rocket into the sea.

South Korea struggled to come up with countermeasures in the 1970s when North Korea deployed BM-21 Grad, a new multiple rocket launcher (MRL) brought in from the Soviet Union. At that time, the possibility of fatal casualties increased if towed howitzers, self-propelled howitzers, and multiple rocket launchers deployed by the North Korean military fired at the South Korea. The South Korean military developed the K136 Kooryong in 1978 to counter the threat of North Korean artillery. With the deployment of Kooryong to the Republic of Korea Army (ROK Army) since the 1980s, it was temporarily able to maintain a similar balance to North Korea's artillery power.[5]

However, over time, problems such as the discontinuation of the main parts of the aging Kooryong system have been revealed, and as North Korea developed a large-caliber rocket with further increased range, the military pointed out that Kooryong could be outmatched.

Development of the K239 Chunmoo began in 2009 and was completed in late 2013. South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) spent 131.4 billion won ($112.4 million) on the project to create a replacement for the K136 Kooryong MLRS. The goal was to develop a new multiple rocket launcher system with an automated fire control system compatible with the ammunition used in the M270 MLRS, which the South Korean military had previously operated.[5] Initial production was carried out in August 2014. The K239 development program was the first defense development program led by South Korean private defense companies, unlike other defense development programs conducted under the leadership of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).[citation needed]

In August 2015, the ROK Army began deploying Chunmoo batteries, and by the end of 2016, it was deployed to Yeonpyeong Island and Baengnyeong Island, where ROK Marine Corps are stationed.[6]

In October 2025 at ADEX 2025 in Seoul, Hanwha Aerospace unveiled the High-Performance Multiple Rocket Launcher (HPMRL). Developed for Marine Corps usage as a more mobile launcher than the K239 Chunmoo, the HPMRL prototype weighs 19 tons and is 8.5 meters long, 2.6 meters wide, and 3.2 meters high. Its smaller size means that HPMRL only carry a single ammunition pod of the type used by Chunmoo. However, HPMRL is capable of being transported by C-130 aircraft without disassembly and can fire from the deck of a moving ship in Sea State 5. With initial development of HPMRL as an internal Hanwha program being complete, full-scale development in cooperation with DAPA is expected to start in 2030.[7][8]

Design

[edit]
The K239 MLRS is launching a CGR-080 239 mm guided rocket.

The K239 Chunmoo is a self-propelled multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) capable of firing several different guided or unguided artillery rockets.

The K239 is capable of launching K33 131 mm rockets, but not 130 mm rockets (such as the K30, K37 and K38), which are used in the existing K136 Kooryong rocket artillery system. The K239 launcher carries two launch pods, each of which can hold three types of loadouts:

  • 20 K33 131 mm unguided rockets, previously used on the K136 Kooryong, with a range of 36 kilometers (22 mi) (40 total).[9]
  • Six KM26A2 230 mm rockets which are based on the M26 227 mm unguided DPICM rocket used in M270 MLRS vehicles operated by the South Korean Army, with a range of 45 kilometers (28 mi) (12 total).[10]
  • Six 239 mm chunmoo guided rockets (CGR-080) with either high explosive penetration warheads, or cluster bombs with 300 bomblets, designed for the K239 Chunmoo with a range of 80 kilometers (50 mi) (12 total).[11][12]

The CGR-080 239 mm rockets are 3.96 meters (13.0 ft) long and GPS-aided INS guided, and the rocket is designed to be equipped with two types of warheads, a high explosive warhead developed as a bunker buster, or a cluster bomb warhead, with hundreds of bomblets, for use against personnel in a wide area. The high explosive warhead bursts on impact for use against personnel and bursts after a delay to destroy bunkers; it was a requirement of the ROK Army for the guided rocket to have a penetrator warhead to be used as a bunker buster solution against the large number of bunkers along the DMZ. A guided rocket containing cluster bombs is capable of extensive artillery fire on a specific area of three times the area of a soccer field.[11]

Two different types of rocket pods can be loaded at once. The rocket pod can launch six 239 mm rockets in 30 seconds and a total of 12 rockets in one minute, and it's possible to reload two rocket pods in seven minutes. The launch vehicle is based on a Doosan DST (now Hanwha Defense) K239L 8×8 truck chassis with an armored cab that protects its 3-man crew from small arms fire and artillery shell splinters as well as providing NBC protection. The vehicle can climb 60% slopes (20 degrees), and is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Run-flat tires, and a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS).[13][14] Each Chunmoo launcher is paired with an K239T Ammunition Support Vehicle (ASV) which uses the same type of truck chassis and carries four reload pods.[13] An ROK Army Chunmoo battery consists of 18 vehicles and uses a K200A1 as a command vehicle.[15]

K239T Ammunition Support Vehicle (ASV)

System features

[edit]

The K239 Chunmoo system was created from the ground up to have distinguishing characteristics from other multiple launch rocket systems.

  • In order to reduce operational and maintenance costs, the Chunmoo launcher system is mounted on the modified chassis of a four-axle Korean truck which has less cross-country ability when compared to tracked vehicles.
  • The artillery unit does not have permanently mounted launch rails. This allows the Chunmoo to transport and use launch containers containing different types of rockets from one platform.[16]
  • The cockpit of the vehicle is armoured to provides protection against small-calibre weapons and artillery shell fragments.[4]
  • It is equipped with a load-lifting device, similar to that of the MLRS. The estimated maximum recharging time is 10 minutes.
  • The Chunmoo system includes an ammunition transport and charging vehicle on a common 8x8 chassis, and carries two sets of transport and discharge containers.[13]
  • The Korean army requested that the Chunmoo be designed to fire different types of ammunition. This includes 227 mm standard MLRS, but also 131 mm and 239 mm South Korean rockets. The maximum range of the 131 mm ammunition is up to 36 kilometers (22 mi) and approximately 80 kilometers (50 mi) for the 239 mm ammunition.
  • Rockets can be fired from the cockpit of the combat vehicle, or by using a remote fire control device.
  • The Chunmoo system is capable of being transported by the C-130 but requires the removal of its tires and wheels to fit inside the aircraft's hold.[8]

Rocket and missile specifications

[edit]
[3][17][18] K33 KM26A2 CGR-080 CTM-290 CTM-MR CTM-ASBM CTM-500 (CTM-X) L-PGW 100 L-PGW 300 Training rocket
Type Surface-to-surface rocket Surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile Surface-to-surface missile Anti-ship ballistic missile Surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile Loitering munition Target practice rocket
Diameter 131 mm (5.2 in) 230 mm (9.1 in) 239 mm (9.4 in) 600 mm (24 in) 280 mm (11 in) 600 mm (24 in) Non-projectile 239 mm (9.4 in)
Guidance type Unguided GPS/INS GPS/INS/IIR GPS/INS Artificial intelligence seeker Unguided
Warhead High explosive M77 DPICM High explosive/Penetration fragmentation High explosive/Blast fragmentation Unknown Unknown Inert warhead
Propulsion Solid fuel propellant Composite propellant Unknown Unknown K223 Rocket motor
Range 36 km (22 mi) 45 km (28 mi) 30–80 km (19–50 mi) 80–290 km (50–180 mi) 50–160 km (31–99 mi) 250–500 km (160–310 mi) 80–100 km (50–62 mi) 300 km (190 mi) 5–8 km (3.1–5.0 mi)
Accuracy (CEP) Unknown Unknown 15 m (49 ft 3 in) 9 m (29 ft 6 in) 80% Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Ammunition capacity 20 rounds per pod 6 rounds per pod 1 rounds per pod 4 rounds per pod 1 rounds per pod 6 units per pod 3 units per pod[note 2] 6 rounds per pod
Notes K136 MRL's extended range rocket American M26A2 unguided rocket Chunmoo 1.0 armament program. A guided rocket with built-in HE warheads or cluster bombs Chunmoo 1.0 armament program. A variant of the Ure Block 2 tactical ballistic missile Chunmoo 1.0 armament program. Mid-range Chunmoo Tactical Missile (CTM) Chunmoo 2.0 armament program. An anti-ship ballistic missile modified based on CTM-MR for coastline defense operations Chunmoo 3.0 armament program. A deep strike missile with a longer range and length modified based on CTM-290 Chunmoo 3.0 armament program. A Loitering Precision Guided Weapon (L-PGW) that can be mounted on the CGR-080 Chunmoo 3.0 armament program. A Loitering Precision Guided Weapon that can be mounted on a CTM-290 Surrogate for CGR-080

Improvements

[edit]
A full-scale models of CTM-MR, CTM-ASBM and CTM-290 on display

Ure-2 (CTM-290)

[edit]
Main article: Ure (missile)

On 27 April 2022, South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced a plan to develop a vehicle-mounted tactical surface-to-surface guided weapon (Ure-2). The purpose of this development project is to improve the existing Ure-1 to increase the range from 180 kilometers (110 mi) to 290 kilometers (180 mi) and integrate tactical ballistic missile systems into various types of Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) such as the K239 Chunmoo. The development project is scheduled to begin in 2023 and plans to complete the development with a total budget of 1.56 trillion won (US$1.232 billion) by 2034.[19]

On 21 December 2022, the Agency for Defense Development conducted a public test of Ure-2 under further development at Anheung Proving Ground. The missile was mounted on the K239 Chunmoo vehicle and hit a target 200 kilometers away after it was launched.[20]

On 13 March 2023, the 150th Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee deliberated and approved the basic strategy and system development plan for developing a vehicle-mounted tactical surface-to-surface missile, and the revised plan included the agenda of completing the development of Ure-2 by 2032, two years earlier than the previous plan.[21]

On 24 April 2024, ADD conducted a test launch of CTM-290 integrated into the Homar-K system in the presence of Poland's Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda and government officials from each country. The missile that was launched successfully hit the target after flying for more than 200 seconds.[22]

Extended-range rockets

[edit]

In June 2022, South Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD) revealed efforts to increase the range of the Chunmoo's 239 mm rockets to 200 kilometers (120 mi). This would give them range similar to the North Korean 300 mm KN-09. Research and development efforts are evaluating ducted rocket propulsion technology, which adds an air inlet that absorbs external air and combines it with a gas generator for combustion to produce greater thrust, as well as a valve that controls the flow of gas for maneuvering.[23][24][25] There is also research into a larger 400 mm rocket based on a miniaturized version of the Ure surface to surface missile, which the Chunmoo could carry four of.[23]

Variants

[edit]
Homar-K prototype on Jelcz P882.57 chassis

Homar-K

[edit]

Homar-K (English: Lobster; K for koreański, meaning Korean) is a Polish multiple launch rocket system combining the improved K239 launcher and Jelcz P882.57 8x8 chassis (ultimately to be replaced with the third-generation Jelcz P883.57 chassis) produced by Huta Stalowa Wola.[26] Built to meet Polish military requirements, the system is equipped with Topaz [wd] Integrated Combat Management System and is armed with a South Korean 239 mm CGR-080 guided rocket produced in Poland under license as well as a 600 mm CTM-290 tactical ballistic missile (Chunmoo Tactical Missile)[16] with a range of 290 kilometers (180 mi).[27] Further development is underway for integration with Polish 122 mm M-21 Feniks [wd] unguided rocket.[28]

The Homar-K program also envisages the production of a Polonized missile launcher module by Huta Stalowa Wola. Poland ordered a total of 290 launchers, the first of which entered service with the Polish Land Forces in 2023.[29] As of 25 June 2025, over 100 launchers were in active service.[30]

Export

[edit]

United Arab Emirates

[edit]

In 2017, Hanwha Defense announced at ADEX (Aerospace & Defense Exhibition) in Seoul that it had signed a nondisclosure contract worth 700 billion won to export K239 Chunmoo to a certain country in the Middle East, and it was later revealed that the United Arab Emirates signed a supply contract with Hanwha Defense, including 12 K239 Chunmoos, 12 K239T Ammunition Support Vehicles, GPS-guided rockets, and munitions.[31][32] Later, In February 2021, 12 K239 Chunmoo systems and 12 K239T Ammunition Support Vehicles were delivered to the United Arab Emirates.[33]

Saudi Arabia

[edit]

At the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 9, 2022, Hanwha signed a defense export contract worth 1 trillion won ($800 million) with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense, but details of the contract were not known.[34] It was later confirmed on 31 March 2023 that an unknown number of Chunmoo was being serviced by the Royal Saudi Land Forces.[35] As in the past cases with the UAE, it is presumed that it has signed a non-disclosure contract.

Poland

[edit]

On 27 August 2022, Poland's defense minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, said there are ongoing negotiations to acquire South Korea's rocket artillery system.[36] On 13 October 2022, Polish Armament Agency announced that the negotiations with South Korea to acquire nearly 300 K239 Chunmoo systems had been completed and the framework agreement will be signed on October 17.[37][38] Poland had originally intended to procure 500 American M142 HIMARS launchers, but such an order could not be fulfilled in a satisfactory timeline, so decision was made to split the HIMARS order into two stages, buying less of them and adding Chunmoo procurement; the first South Korean launchers are to be delivered in 2023.[39] A supply contract for 288 Chunmoo MLRS mounted on Jelcz 8x8 chassis and equipped with Polish TOPAZ Integrated Combat Management System along with 23 thousand missiles with the range of 80 and 290 kilometers was signed in Poland on October 19, 2022.[40][41] On 20 August 2023, first Homar-K, which completed system integration and testing in South Korea, was deployed to the 18th Mechanised Division of the Polish Land Forces after being delivered to Poland.[42]

Estonia

[edit]

On 23 October 2025, the Estonian and South Korean defence ministers signed a defense cooperation agreement, under which the Estonian Defence Forces intends to acquire K239 Chunmoo systems.[43] Later, On 21 December 2025, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) signed an intergovernmental (G2G) export contract worth 300 million euros (₩520 billion) to introduce the K239 Chunmoo system. Under the contract, Hanwha Aerospace will supply Estonia with six Chunmoo launcher vehicles and three types of missiles over the next three years.[44]

Norway

[edit]

On 27 September 2022, Hanwha Defense signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Norway's Kongsberg Gruppen to introduce the K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket artillery system.[45] On 27 January 2026, the Norwegian Parliament approved the government's proposal to purchase the K239 Chunmoo system with a budget of 19 billion krone. Hanwha Aerospace will sign a supply contract with the Norwegian government in January and will be supplied to the Norwegian Army from 2029.[46] On 30 January 2026, the Norwegian government, through The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) signed a contract for procuring 16 K239 Chunmoo systems and a significant amount of precision-guided missiles, plus training and logistical support from Hanwha Areospace. There will be three types of missiles with a range of up to 500 kilometers. Hanwha will set up a production line for the missiles in Poland, which will supply all the European operators. The K239 mobile launchers are expected to be delivered in 2028 and 2029, with the missiles expected to be delivered in 2030 and 2031.[47][48][49]

Operators

[edit]
A map of operators of the K239 Chunmoo or its variants

Current operators

[edit]
Poland
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
A total of 218 systems in service with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.[52][53][54]
United Arab Emirates

Future operators

[edit]
Estonia
  • Estonian Land Forces – A total of 6 systems and ammunition, including the CTM-290 tactical ballistic missiles, will be delivered to Estonia under the contract signed on 21 December 2025.[55][44]
Norway
  • Norwegian Army – A total of 16 K239 launchers and a significant number of precision-guided missiles, with a range of up to 500 kilometers plus training and logistical support. The Contract was signed with Hanwha Aerospace on 30 January 2026.[56]

Potential operators

[edit]
  • Egypt: On July 21, 2025, Hanwha Aerospace was reported to be in advanced talks with Egypt for a K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher export. This significant deal includes local production and technology transfer, aiming to modernize Egypt's defense and diversify its arms suppliers.[57]
  • Philippines: Officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines attended the test-firing of KTSSM-II missiles from a K239 Chunmoo-I Multiple Launch Rocket System unit on December 21, 2022.[citation needed] The platform is being considered alongside the M142 HIMARS[58] and the Elbit PULS.[59][60]
  • Romania: On 3 February 2023, Hanwha Aerospace signed an MOU with ROMARM SA, Romania's state-owned defense company, for the production of military equipment and ammunition.[61][62]

Summary

[edit]
Operators Orders Acquisition Losses In service Note
K239
Poland Polish Land Forces HOMAR-K
290 		90
(+200) 		— 90 Batch I: 218 K239 launcher modules.
Batch II: 72 modules.
South Korea Republic of Korea Army and Marine Corps K239 Chunmoo
367 		218
(+149) 		— 218 Batch I: 218 K239s.
Batch II: 149 K239s.
Saudi Arabia Royal Saudi Land Forces K239 Chunmoo
36 		36 — 36
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Army K239 Chunmoo
12 		12 — 12
In service Total orders
705 		356 — 356
Total acquired: 505
To be manufactured: 349

Legend of the colored numbers in the table:

  Systems assembled and produced in South Korea
  Systems assembled or produced outside of South Korea
  2nd hand sold/transferred [ - ] and bought/received [ + ]
  System upgraded, one variant to the other [ - ] / [ + ]

See also

[edit]
  • K136 Kooryong - South Korea's 36 extended multiple rocket artillery system
  • M270 – (United States)

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

K239 Chunmoo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The K239 Chunmoo is a high-mobility, wheeled multiple launch system developed by for the , featuring modular launch pods capable of firing diverse munitions such as 130 mm unguided rockets, 227 mm precision-guided rockets, and tactical ballistic missiles with ranges exceeding 200 km. Powered by a 400 hp , the system achieves road speeds up to 90 km/h and an operational range of 800 km, enabling rapid deployment and tactics. Development commenced in under a contract from South Korea's , culminating in operational readiness by 2015 after extensive testing and a investment of approximately 131.4 billion won. The system's versatility, including compatibility with NATO-standard munitions and integration of advanced guidance for real-time precision strikes, has positioned it as a cornerstone of South Korea's artillery modernization, contributing to deterrence strategies against regional threats. Exports have underscored its international appeal, with confirmed operators including the and , the latter receiving 72 units under the Homar-K designation as part of a broader defense procurement to bolster long-range strike capabilities. Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations have also acquired the platform, reflecting South Korea's expansion in global arms markets through adaptable, cost-effective systems compliant with export guidelines.

Background and Development

Strategic Rationale

The K239 Chunmoo's development stemmed from the acute military threat presented by North Korea's forces massed along the , comprising an estimated 12,000 pieces under the People's Army Artillery Command, many of which can reach —home to roughly 10 million residents—in under five minutes of sustained fire. This asymmetric vulnerability, rooted in North Korea's emphasis on coastal and long-range systems like 170mm guns and 240mm/300mm multiple rocket launchers positioned for rapid barrages, demanded South Korean countermeasures prioritizing superior range, mobility, and precision to conduct preemptive neutralization or suppressive operations against forward belts and command nodes. Such capabilities were essential to mitigate the causal risk of overwhelming initial salvos that could cause tens of thousands of casualties before allied airpower or ground forces could respond effectively. South Korea's strategic imperative further involved retiring the obsolescent multiple rocket launchers, introduced in the 1980s with unguided 130mm rockets limited to 23-36 km ranges, which proved inadequate for engaging dispersed or hardened North Korean targets beyond visual horizons or in contested environments. The Chunmoo addressed this gap by enabling asymmetric deterrence through volley fires that could saturate enemy artillery concentrations with guided munitions, thereby restoring credible suppression without relying solely on shorter-range howitzers or vulnerable fixed defenses. Project requirements crystallized in the late 2000s amid heightened North Korean aggression, including the November 23, 2010, Yeonpyeong Island bombardment, where approximately 170 coastal artillery rounds inflicted four fatalities and exposed the limitations of South Korea's legacy unguided systems in real-time counter-battery scenarios. This incident, coupled with prior tests of North Korea's extended-range rockets, catalyzed the 2009 award of indigenous development contracts to Hanwha Techwin, prioritizing modular designs for rapid adaptation to evolving threats while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

Design Origins and Timeline

The development of the K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system originated from requirements for a next-generation platform to replace aging unguided systems like the , with the project initiated in 2009 under a contract awarded by the to Hanwha Defense (now ). The oversaw design work, emphasizing modularity, extended range, and precision through guided munitions to address limitations in earlier 130mm unguided rockets that suffered from dispersion errors exceeding tens of meters at operational distances. Prototypes were completed by late 2013 following a four-year engineering phase focused on integrating a wheeled chassis for high mobility, achieving air transportability via C-130 while maintaining rapid deployment capabilities. Initial testing validated the system's core features, including live-fire demonstrations of 239mm GPS/INS-guided rockets reaching up to 80 km with improved compared to unguided predecessors, overcoming accuracy challenges via hybrid inertial and for real-time corrections against environmental factors like wind and terrain. The first production units were delivered to the in 2014, marking the transition to operational service after successful evaluations that confirmed structural integrity under and launcher-pod reloading . This timeline reflected iterative refinements to ensure compatibility with both tactical rockets and potential extensions, prioritizing ruggedness on commercial-grade heavy-duty truck platforms for cost-effective sustainment.

System Design and Capabilities

Launcher Platform

The K239 Chunmoo launcher platform utilizes an 8×8 wheeled high-mobility truck chassis manufactured by Hanwha Defense, with a combat weight of approximately 25 tons. This configuration provides enhanced cross-country performance through all-wheel drive and robust suspension, enabling operations in varied terrains. It is powered by a 400 hp diesel engine, achieving a maximum speed of 85 km/h and an operational range of 500 km. The supports a three-person consisting of a driver, commander, and gunner, who operate from an armored cab offering protection against fire and shell fragments. The launcher incorporates two modular pods capable of accommodating 12 × 239 mm rockets or 2 × 600 mm tactical missiles, with hydraulic mechanisms for and depression to facilitate rapid setup and firing. Crew survivability is further bolstered by nuclear, biological, and chemical () protection systems integrated into the vehicle. These features, combined with the platform's mobility, contribute to its design emphasis on evasion of through quick repositioning post-launch.

Ammunition and Guidance Systems

The K239 Chunmoo utilizes modular launch pods compatible with multiple rocket types, primarily featuring the 239 mm CGR-080 guided rockets for precision strikes. These rockets, measuring 3.96 meters in length, employ GPS-aided (INS) guidance to deliver warheads at ranges up to 80 kilometers with a (CEP) of 15 meters, enabling targeted engagements that minimize unintended damage through empirically derived accuracy metrics. Warhead options for the CGR-080 include high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) for area suppression and cluster munitions such as the M77 DPICM for dispersed targets, with dual-mode fuzing supporting impact detonation against personnel or airburst modes optimized for armored vehicles and fortifications based on evaluations. Complementing the primary guided munitions, the system supports 131 mm unguided rockets derived from earlier stockpiles, offering a shorter-range option extending to 36 kilometers for rapid, high-volume fire in less demanding precision scenarios. Guidance and fire control integration is managed through a computerized (FCS) that facilitates both direct and indirect firing modes, incorporating ballistic computation for . The FCS supports network-centric operations, allowing salvo coordination with external assets such as drones or forward observers for real-time targeting adjustments, while compatibility with environmental sensors enhances accuracy under varying conditions.
Rocket TypeCaliberGuidanceMaximum RangeCEPWarhead Variants
CGR-080239 mmGPS/INS80 km15 mHE-FRAG, Cluster (M77 DPICM)
131 mmNone36 kmN/AHE, Illumination, Smoke

Range and Precision Features

The K239 Chunmoo fires 239 mm guided rockets, designated CGR-080, with a maximum range of 80 km, providing standoff capabilities superior to unguided legacy systems in both reach and accuracy for area suppression or precision strikes. Integration of tactical ballistic missiles, such as the CTM-290, extends the system's reach to 290 km, allowing engagement of deep targets while maintaining operational flexibility through modular pod compatibility. Guidance for these munitions relies on inertial navigation system (INS) augmented by GPS, ensuring redundancy against jamming attempts; this combination yields a circular error probable (CEP) of approximately 15 m for 239 mm high-explosive rockets and 9 m for the CTM-290, enabling effective hits on high-value infrastructure like command nodes without excessive collateral dispersion. Ongoing enhancements, including anti-jamming GPS receivers, further bolster reliability in contested electromagnetic environments. The launcher supports full-salvo ripple fire of its 12-round capacity in under 60 seconds, permitting rapid saturation of defended areas to overwhelm point defenses and maximize destructive effect per cycle. Pod-based reloading occurs in 5 to 10 minutes, facilitating quick repositioning under tactics that reduce vulnerability to counterfire, as confirmed in developmental field tests emphasizing mobility post-launch.

Variants and Enhancements

Extended-Range and Ballistic Missile Integrations

In the mid-2010s, the pursued domestic upgrades to the K239 Chunmoo system, integrating advanced munitions for greater strategic reach. The CTM-290 , a 600 mm guided weapon, was incorporated to achieve ranges up to 290 km, providing capabilities comparable to systems like the U.S. ATACMS for precision strikes on high-value or hardened targets. This missile employs GPS/INS navigation, yielding a of 2-9 meters depending on the variant. Parallel developments extended the performance of 239 mm s, with guided variants reaching 160 km through enhanced propulsion and stabilization features. These munitions maintain compatibility with the Chunmoo's modular pods, allowing seamless transitions between and firing modes. trials in the 2020s validated these extensions, demonstrating reduced dispersion and reliable terminal accuracy under operational conditions. The modular architecture of the Chunmoo launcher addressed integration hurdles, such as pod adaptations for the larger CTM-290 and software refinements to the for ballistic trajectories. These modifications ensured sustained reliability, with post-upgrade testing confirming salvo coherence and minimal downtime across extended-range profiles.

Export-Specific Adaptations

The Homar-K variant, designated for Poland, incorporates a locally produced Jelcz 882.57 8×8 chassis in place of the standard South Korean platform to facilitate in-country manufacturing and enhanced mobility suited to European terrain. This adaptation includes integration with Polish command-and-control systems such as Fonet and for improved within frameworks. A 2023 agreement further enables the Homar-K to fire indigenous Polish 122 mm unguided rockets, expanding ammunition flexibility. Joint production efforts with 's WB Group focus on CGR-080 guided rockets (80 km range), supporting and partial localization of missile assembly. By September 2025, had received 126 Homar-K launchers under the contract, complementing U.S.-sourced systems like HIMARS. For Middle Eastern operators, export versions of the K239 Chunmoo supplied to and the integrate the CTM-290 tactical ballistic missile, which features a 290 km range and high-precision guidance compatible with the system's pod configuration. This adaptation allows one CTM-290 per pod, enabling rapid deployment against regional threats. Saudi integration was confirmed operational by August 2025, aligning with broader procurement of Chunmoo systems for extended strike capabilities. In August 2024, South Korea's approved the export of ballistic missiles with a 500 km range for integration into the K239 Chunmoo, raising the prior 300 km limit in response to Middle Eastern buyer requests. This policy shift adheres to (MTCR) considerations by restricting transfers to allied nations, facilitating customized precision munitions for diverse operational environments without altering core domestic configurations.

Emerging Unmanned and Multi-Role Variants

unveiled the Chunmoo 3.0 at the ADEX 2025 exhibition in October 2025, representing an evolution of the K239 Chunmoo with integrated munitions and options to support coastal denial and strikes against dynamic naval targets. The variant incorporates the LPGW100 loitering projectile-guided weapon, a rocket-deployed munition enabling persistent overhead and precision engagement of moving targets via AI-assisted targeting, thereby expanding the system's role beyond static area suppression to time-sensitive multi-domain operations. Parallel development efforts include the Unmanned Rocket Launcher (UARL), a 17-ton autonomous platform derived from the K239 Chunmoo, designed for remote operations that reduce crew needs from three to effectively zero through AI pathfinding, modular drive systems, and compatibility with ground or shipboard deployment. This unmanned configuration enhances survivability in contested environments by enabling dispersed, low-signature firing positions without on-site personnel exposure. In tandem with these advancements, Hanwha pitched the Chunmoo Tactical (CTM-ASBM) variant to the in October 2025, featuring radar seekers and sea-skimming trajectories for engaging surface vessels in scenarios like the , with full development projected for production readiness around 2027 when integrated with K239 Chunmoo launchers. These multi-role enhancements collectively aim to unify diverse munitions under a single launcher architecture, prioritizing reduced manpower and adaptability to hybrid threats.

Procurement and Deployment

South Korean Service Entry

The K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system entered operational service with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army in August 2015, following the announcement of an initial procurement of 58 launchers in October 2014. This deployment marked the replacement of the obsolescent system within ROK artillery brigades positioned to counter threats along the . Subsequent production contracts have sustained expansion of the ROK inventory, with authorized to manufacture additional units as recently as November 2024 to bolster forces. These acquisitions align with post-2013 defense budget increases prioritizing long-range precision fires amid North Korea's proliferation of Hwasong-series ballistic missiles and enhanced artillery capabilities. The Chunmoo integrates into broader ROK combined arms frameworks alongside platforms like the self-propelled howitzer, facilitating networked fire coordination for rapid response to adversarial salvos. This operational embedding underscores a doctrinal shift toward high-volume, standoff suppression in frontline deterrence postures.

Export Contracts and Deliveries

The became the first export customer for the K239 Chunmoo in 2017, with deliveries of multiple units to support regional defense needs. followed with a contract in 2021 valued at approximately 1 trillion (about $800 million), leading to deployment of systems equipped with guided rockets and integration of tactical ballistic missiles like the CTM-290 by 2025. Poland secured an initial agreement in October 2022 for 288 Homar-K launchers, a Polish-designated variant of the K239 Chunmoo, as part of a broader arms procurement from . In April 2024, Poland signed a follow-on contract worth $1.6 billion for an additional 72 launchers, incorporating technology transfer provisions to enhance local production capabilities. On October 23, 2025, finalized a defense cooperation agreement with to acquire K239 Chunmoo launchers, aimed at bolstering deep-strike capabilities and supplementing existing HIMARS systems within NATO's defenses. Negotiations with advanced as of July 2025, focusing on potential export of the system to modernize forces, though no has been confirmed. France is evaluating the K239 Chunmoo as an interim solution to enhance its long-range strike capabilities while developing its own FLP-T system, expected by 2030. These contracts have driven significant revenue growth for , with defense exports fueling a 79.9% rise in second-quarter 2025 net profit to $207 million. The Chunmoo's appeal lies in its modular design, compatibility with various munitions, and competitive pricing relative to systems like the American HIMARS, enabling strategic alliances through reliable supply and in diverse operational environments.
CountryContract YearLaunchers ProcuredKey Notes
2017Undisclosed (dozens delivered)First international sale; operational integration completed.
2021Undisclosed$800 million deal; CTM-290 ballistic missile compatibility by 2025.
2022288Homar-K variant; deliveries underway.
202472Additional order with tech transfer.
2025UndisclosedAgreement to enhance Baltic capabilities.

Operator Training and Integration

The delivered its inaugural international user training for the K239 Chunmoo to personnel in May 2025. This two-week program, designated as the 1st Army International Course 2025 (KAIC), involved 16 Polish officers and non-commissioned officers receiving instruction on operation, procedures, tactical , and simulation-based exercises tailored to Homar-K battalions. Export contracts for operators including and the incorporate structured training regimens featuring on-site South Korean instructors and integrated simulators to accelerate proficiency in launcher handling, ammunition loading, and fire control integration. Saudi forces achieved initial operational deployment of Chunmoo systems along the Yemen border by early 2023 following acquisition in 2022, demonstrating expedited readiness through such support. Technology transfer provisions in export agreements, such as Poland's 2025 between and WB Group, emphasize local sustainment by providing phased knowledge handover for guided production, including certified programs. This arrangement, formalized in September 2025 for CGR-080 munitions compatible with Homar-K, enables indigenous maintenance and potential upgrades while minimizing long-term reliance on foreign suppliers.

Operational Performance

Testing and Exercises

The K239 Chunmoo underwent initial operational validation through live-fire exercises conducted by the in June 2024, where a battery demonstrated coordinated strikes supported by TPQ-74K counter-battery radars to simulate responses to massed threats. Further drills in October 2024 emphasized the system's role in countering long-range enemy , with CGR-080 guided rockets achieving their specified 80 km range and precision suitable for area saturation or high-value target engagement, as per system specifications validated in field conditions. These exercises highlighted reliability in rapid salvo fire and relocation, with no reported malfunctions in the tested configurations. In Poland, the Homar-K variant achieved key milestones with its first live-fire tests in December 2024 at the Central Air Force Training Range near Ustka, confirming CGR-080 rocket performance exceeding HIMARS GMLRS range by approximately 10 km in initial trials. By September 2025, deliveries of 126 launchers were completed, enabling integration into the 18th Missile Brigade and participation in 's Iron Defender-25 exercise, which involved 30,000 troops focusing on rapid deployment and eastern flank defense scenarios. These drills underscored interoperability with assets, including quick setup times under simulated high-threat environments, though full operational readiness metrics remain classified. Saudi Arabia's evaluations, evidenced by August 2025 imagery of K239 launchers fitted with CTM-290 pods during maneuvers, verified successful integration and mobility in extreme heat without documented system failures or degradation in pod compatibility. The 290 km-range CTM-290 configuration performed as expected in arid conditions, aligning with export adaptations for regional threats, per observed field deployments of the 36-unit inventory.

Strategic Deterrence Role

The K239 Chunmoo enhances South Korea's strategic deterrence against by providing the capability for precision strikes on deep inland targets, including sites and positions beyond 200 km from the . With integration of guided rockets and tactical ballistic missiles reaching up to 290 km, the system enables mutual assured disruption, where potential North Korean preemptive barrages on are countered by the credible threat of retaliatory fire disrupting Pyongyang's rear-area and launch , approximately 190 km inland. This range extension shifts escalation dynamics, as North Korea's long-range threats—capable of targeting South Korean bases 150–200 km south—are met with equivalent or superior standoff precision, reducing the asymmetry in conventional exchanges. Exports of the Chunmoo system bolster deterrence postures among allies facing regional proliferators. Poland's acquisition of the Homar-K variant, integrated with local subsystems, strengthens NATO's eastern flank by enabling rapid, deep strikes against Russian massed forces, thereby complicating potential aggression near shared borders. In the , Saudi Arabia's procurement of Chunmoo units, equipped with tactical ballistic missiles, enhances defensive depth against Iranian proxy threats, allowing for preemptive neutralization of launch sites in or proxy-held territories. Similarly, ongoing discussions with the for extended-range variants up to 500 km support layered deterrence against Iranian ballistic capabilities, fostering regional stability through distributed credible threats rather than reliance on external guarantees. These exports generate an economic feedback loop for , with revenues from contracts—such as Poland's multi-billion deals—reinvested into domestic , sustaining technological iteration independent of foreign dependency. This self-reinforcing cycle amplifies the Chunmoo's role in extended deterrence networks, as upgraded variants derived from export adaptations enhance original Republic of Korea forces, perpetuating a virtuous progression in precision strike capabilities.

Comparative Advantages and Limitations

The K239 Chunmoo provides a higher simultaneous fire capacity than the , launching up to 12 guided 239 mm rockets or equivalent munitions from two modular pods, compared to HIMARS' single pod accommodating 6 GMLRS rockets or one ATACMS missile, allowing for doubled payload delivery in wheeled configurations. This design merges HIMARS-like tactical mobility on an 8x8 wheeled chassis with M270-equivalent firepower, achieving road speeds of approximately 80 km/h while supporting reload times under 10 minutes for sustained operations. In contrast to the Russian 9K515 Tornado-S, which also fields 12 x 300 mm rockets, South Korean evaluations highlight the Chunmoo's enhanced guidance resilience through diversified INS/GPS/terrain-matching systems, demonstrated in domestic tests to maintain accuracy under electronic warfare conditions where GLONASS-dependent alternatives degrade. Unit costs further favor the Chunmoo in export contexts, with base launcher pricing reported at around 3 billion (approximately $2.2 million USD as of 2022 exchange rates), lower than HIMARS' estimated $4-5 million per launcher before munitions packages. Large-scale deals, such as Poland's 2022 framework for 288 systems at $6 billion including missiles and support, equate to roughly $20 million per full capability set but underscore per-unit economies absent in smaller U.S. batches, where HIMARS packages exceed $40 million per launcher with munitions.
SystemSalvo Capacity (Rockets)Max Road Speed (km/h)Est. Base Launcher Cost (USD)Primary Guidance
K239 Chunmoo12 x 239 mm80~$2.2MINS/GPS/Terrain-matching
M142 HIMARS6 x 227 mm GMLRS85-94~$4-5MGPS/INS
M270 MLRS12 x 227 mm (tracked)56~$5M+GPS/INS
Tornado-S12 x 300 mm~60 (tracked)Not publicly detailed/INS
Limitations include a comparatively smaller area saturation potential against legacy towed systems like the (48 unguided rockets), though precision-guided munitions mitigate this by prioritizing high-value targets over sheer volume. The wheeled platform, while offering superior strategic mobility on roads, exhibits reduced cross-country performance versus tracked alternatives like the M270, increasing vulnerability to suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) in contested environments without integrated air superiority, as evidenced by MLRS losses in highlighting the need for rapid tactics. Domestic range extensions to 290 km with CTM-series ballistic missiles are restricted in exports under guidelines, capping foreign variants at 300 km or less to align with international non-proliferation norms. Arms control advocates, including NGOs monitoring Middle Eastern conflicts, have raised general proliferation risks for precision MLRS exports to , citing potential escalatory use in Yemen operations despite no verified Chunmoo deployments there as of 2025; such concerns often overlook the system's GPS/INS-guided accuracy, which empirical data from South Korean and Polish exercises show reduces versus unguided predecessors like the . These critiques are countered by alliance-stabilizing effects in verified sales, where no misuse has been documented, and precision inherently lowers risks compared to volumetrically intensive alternatives, as quantified in strike metrics from integrated fire tests exceeding 90% hit rates at 80 km.

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