First Homar-K Rocket Launchers Delivered to Poland’s 16th Mechanized Division

The newly delivered launchers most likely come from a shipment that arrived in June this year, bringing in 12 additional Homar-K modules. This delivery brings the total number of domestically produced K239 Chunmoo systems in Poland to 22, with 21 units currently stationed in the country and one remaining in South Korea for training purposes - they are operated by the 16th Mechanized Division.  The acquisition of the Homar-K launchers marks a significant technological leap for Polish artillery and provides a replacement for the aging Soviet-era BM-21 Grad and RM-70 systems.  These new launchers are also expected to be deployed in newly formed artillery units.

Originally 212 units of the polonized variant of the K239 Chunmoo MLRS were purchased, but this number was increased to 290, as second performance contract was signed in April this year . To meet the requirements defined by the Polish Armed Forces, several thousand rockets were ordered, coming in two types - 239 mm CGR-080 with a range of 80 kilometres, and CTM-290 SRBM, capable of hitting targets at a distance 290 kilometres away. The agreement also covers a logistics and training package. It is also expected that Homar-K would be integrated with the Polish 122 mm unguided rocket munitions, housed in transport/launch containers developed by WZL-2.

The second performance contract envisages that maintenance facilities would be established for the launchers in Poland, and that spares for the launchers would be manufactured by the Polish industry. The first dozen modules would be delivered by the Changwon Hanwha Aerospace facility. Starting from the 13th example, further launchers will be manufactured in Poland, probably at HSW. Talks are underway regarding the license, technologies, and know-how transfer required to launch domestic manufacturing of the 239 mm CGR-080 rockets. However, this matter is discussed in a separate negotiation. Transfer of this expertise would happen once another performance contract involving Hanwha Aerospace is signed. It is possible that further launchers would be integrated on 3rd generation Jelcz vehicles, demonstrated during the last MSPO exhibition.

The Homar-K is a polonized K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery system, for which the original base platform (Doosan 8x8 truck with armoured cabin) was replaced with a domestically manufactured 8x8 Jelcz truck.  The system carries two rocket containers, each can accommodate 6 guided 239 mm rockets with a range of  80 kilometers, or a single ballistic missile, with a range of ca. 290 kilometers. Work is underway to integrate 122 mm rockets with the Homar-K platform - used in WR-40 Langusta or BM-21 Grad systems.  The launch containers also allow the user to launch unguided 131/227 mm rockets.  Development efforts regarding rockets offering 150-200 km range are underway.

The platform also features the ZZKO Topaz fire control system, which allows the Polonized Chunmoo to be plugged into the FCS/BMS systems used by the Polish artillery units - it is a top class solution.  The Polonized variant also includes Fonet digital communications suite integration. In the future, the base platform for Homar-K may be replaced with the entirely new Jelcz 883.5.