Bullseye For Hanwha Chunmoo MLRS In US$2B Norway Deal

SOUTH Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace announced a contract with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) to provide the K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) to the Norwegian Army, marking a significant milestone as the company’s first major defence contract of 2026.

While the total scale of Norway’s acquisition project is budgeted at US$2 billion, this specific agreement for the Chunmoo MLRS is valued at approximately US$922 million. Under the contract, Hanwha Aerospace will deliver 16 Chunmoo launch vehicles, a precision-guided missile package, and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). Hanwha Aerospace President and CEO Jae-il Son and NDMA director general Gro Jære signed the contract in Oslo on January 30 in the presence of top brass from both nations.

Jae-il Son said, “I believe Norway’s selection of the Chunmoo system is a result of the trust built up through the supply of K9 SPH. We remain committed to contributing to the long-term security of the Nordic region through close cooperation with Norway and further developing our role as a strategic security partner.”

The systems will give the Norwegian Army a new long-range strike capability, with missiles offering multiple range options of up to 500km. According to the Norwegian government, deliveries of the systems and equipment are expected between 2028-2029, while missile deliveries are expected in 2030-2031. Missile production is reportedly planned to be established in Poland, where the same system is also being procured. Media reports cited Hanwha Aerospace’s proposal for an industrial cooperation programme with Norwegian companies equivalent to 120 percent of the contract value.

The selection of the Chunmoo MLRS follows nearly a decade of cooperation between Hanwha Aerospace and the Norwegian Armed Forces. Since the 2017 contract for 52 K9 VIDAR self-propelled howitzers (SPH) and 14 K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles, Hanwha Aerospace has delivered all equipment on time. The established performance and logistics framework of the K9 fleet served as a primary technical reference for the introduction of the Chunmoo system.

For the Norwegian requirement, the system has been optimised for reliability in Arctic environments, including extreme low temperatures and snowy terrain. It is designed to be fully interoperable with Norway’s existing defence infrastructure and fire control systems.

With this contract, the user base of Chunmoo MRLS has expanded to include South Korea, Poland, Estonia, and the Middle East. This expansion is expected to enhance interoperability and create synergies in integrated logistics support among the operating nations. Hanwha Aerospace also plans to actively strengthen its partnership with local Norwegian industry by expanding multifaceted cooperation, including joint development or local testing.