Poland to Procure 1.5 bn. Zlotys Worth of Jelcz Truck Platforms for Homar-K

As the Armament Agency announced, the agreement envisages the delivery of 198 special-purpose vehicles designed for integration with the WWR HOMAR-K modules. The vehicles are also expected to be made ready for the integration of GPS and C2 systems. Finally, they would be delivered with a training and logistics package. The agreement was signed by and between the Treasury (Armament Agency), and the PGZ-WWR consortium.

The contract value is as high as PLN 1.5 billion (gross), while the deliveries are scheduled to happen between 2024 and 2027.

Taking the December 2022 agreement into account, all needs would be met regarding the base platform for the first batch of 218 Homar-K launchers, integrated with the Topaz FCS, and ordered last year. Currently, deliveries are underway, regarding the first squadron.

Poland procured 218 Homar-K launchers, along with several thousand munitions (several hundred tactical missiles with a range of 290 kilometers, and more than 10 thousand guided rockets, with a range of 80 kilometers), at USD 3.55 bn. The delivery timeline extends until 2027. During the second stage of efforts tied to the framework agreement, it is assumed that Poland would take over the technologies required to manufacture munitions and launchers, and this would result in the delivery of another batch of 72 (Polish-made) launchers and a large batch of munitions. It is also expected that the Homar-K system would be integrated with unguided rockets of the 122 mm Langusta MLRS (range of up to 40 kilometres). This would allow them to take on a role similar to the 130 mm Chunmoo rockets, acting as a fire support asset and allowing the user to attack targets at a shorter range.

The Homar-K is an open architecture system that can be integrated with other types of munitions. The available solutions include the US-made GLSDB effector, with a range of 150 kilometres. Hanwha Aerospace is also willing to develop new guided munitions for Chunmoo. Another company, Korea Defense Industry Corporation, specializing in mines and cluster munitions, also offers rockets with cluster warheads, guided, and unguided ones.

As the Armament Agency recalls, the PGZ-WWR consortium tasked with handling the Homar-K deliveries (and Homar-A in the future - involving delivery of up to 500 Polonized HIMARS systems), includes the PGZ Group acting as the leader, along with the following entities: Huta Stalowa Wola S.A., Jelcz sp. z o.o., Rosomak S.A., Wojskowe Zakłady Łączności nr 1 S.A., and PIT-Radwar S.A. The project also involves other subcontractors that are a part of the PGZ Group and other domestic defence industry companies.

The programme is aimed at commissioning national long-range rocket artillery modules, and it is the second most valuable undertaking involving the Polish defence industry, alongside the Narew system. The estimated cost would exceed PLN 20 bn, while the number of equipment units, mainly including vehicles (ranging from 4x4 vehicles to 8x8 platforms), would exceed a couple of thousand.

The elements that would be delivered by the PGZ-WWR consortium include Jelcz special trucks, that would accommodate the US- and Korean-made launcher systems, artillery reconnaissance vehicles, command vehicles, munitions transporters, ARVs, UAVs, C2 network, radars, and a comprehensive logistics package.