Homar-K System Tested in South Korea

The vehicle, utilizing the 8x8 Jelcz base platform, successfully passed the tests. The European branch of Hanwha Aerospace announced that the test results were positive. Hanwha is the manufacturer of the K239 Chunmoo MLRS. This is yet another step on the way towards the commissioning of the Homar-K system in the Polish Armed Forces. What's important, as the programme progresses, the share of the Polish industry in the manufacturing process would be growing.

Alongside Jelcz S.A. in Poland, HSW S.A. has also been involved in the Homar-K programme. The latter entity would remain responsible for integrating the launcher on the Polish base platform. Ultimately HSW S.A. would also be tasked with manufacturing the launcher. Additionally, the WB Group is also a part of the project. The latter entity has delivered the Topaz artillery fire control system that would be integrated on Homar-K. Next, PGZ and Hanwha Aerospace are planning to launch munitions manufacturing (239 mm guided rockets) in Poland, as a joint venture undertaking. In the longer run, joint development of rockets offering better performance would be possible as well.

The efficiency and speed at which the integration of the Korean launcher and effectors with the Polish base platform and electronics progresses seem to be a good sign. It remains unclear whether Homar-K would be showcased during the Armed Forces Day parade in Warsaw. It may be assumed, however, that the vehicle will be rolled out during the MSPO 2023 event in Kielce, happening between the 5th and 8th of September this year.

The K239 Chunmoo MLRS is a South Korean rocket artillery system based on a wheeled platform. The name is also spelled "Chunmu" or "Cheonmu" in Latin. The Hanwha's product is a replacement for the K136 Kooryong system and can be viewed as a wheeled counterpart of the US-made M270 MLRS. Both systems listed above are still operated by Daehanminguk Yukgun (Korean Army). Poland is procuring Chunmoos. In 2022, 218 out of 290 examples envisaged within the framework agreement were ordered. The process is taking place in parallel to the M142 HIMARS procurement - that system has been commissioned in the Polish Armed Forces as well.

Two launch containers that can carry different rockets are the key feature of the K239 system. Poland has procured the 239 mm rockets with a range of 80 kilometers (six per container), and tactical missiles, with a range of 290 km (one per container). Hanwha Aerospace is also developing a tactical missile with a range of 160 kilometers. A single container can house up to 4 missiles, 8 per launcher. K239 can also be integrated with other effectors, including the Polish-made 122 mm unguided rockets, or the US-Swedish GL-SDBs. The design adopted for Chunmoo makes the loading and unloading procedures quick and allows for using two effector types on a single launcher.

The first photos of the Polish Homar-K launchers with launch/transport containers housing the KTSSM-II Block I tactical ballistic missiles have been published via social media channels. That step would go in line with the declarations made by the Polish MoD - on the intention to procure missiles capable of precisely striking targets at a range of 290 kilometers. We will follow that matter closely and inform our readers of the developments.