Hanwha Aerospace opened the fifth K9 User Club in Tartu, Estonia on September 2, 2026, drawing about 200 military and industry representatives from seven K9 operator nations (Korea, Estonia, Poland, Norway, Finland, Romania, and Australia) plus observers from Spain and Sweden, the largest turnout to date. Hanwha presented a next-generation operating concept in which VTOL fire-guidance drones detect and track targets, generate firing coordinates for the K9, and then assess impact and battle damage, shortening the sensor-to-shooter loop and reducing reliance on exposed forward observers. The company also showed a digital logistics system cataloguing 700-800 key parts with demand forecasting, to be linked to a Polish spares warehouse. At a Chunmoo user workshop on the sidelines, Hanwha announced the first official Chunmoo User Club will be held in Korea in 2027, and Australia will host the next K9 User Club the same year. Hanwha said it will focus new K9 sales on Western European armies modernizing aging artillery, following the Spain contract that took the K9 operator base to 11 countries.
|Seoul Economic Daily / Defence Blog / Joint Forces News
Hanwha Aerospace reported record second-quarter results on July 31, with consolidated operating profit of 1.37 trillion won (~$951 million) — the first time its quarterly operating profit surpassed 1 trillion won — on sales of 9.29 trillion won, up 47% year-on-year. The land systems division earned 533 billion won in operating profit on steady K9 and Chunmoo deliveries at home and abroad, while Hanwha Ocean posted its strongest quarter since joining the group (5.44 trillion won in sales, 736.1 billion won operating profit, up 98%) and Hanwha Systems chipped in a record 103.7 billion won. Shares rallied on the results, which cement Hanwha Aerospace's position as the earnings engine of Korea's defense export boom.
Korea's record defense export backlog is straining production capacity, with DAPA acknowledging temporary bottlenecks on export lines including the K9 self-propelled howitzer and K239 Chunmoo MLRS, aggravated by the country's 52-hour workweek and overtime restrictions. Manufacturers warn that the labor-hour cap complicates efforts to accelerate deliveries against a rapidly growing order book, projected at more than $27 billion in exports for 2026. The report is a caution flag on delivery timelines rather than a contract event.
Hanwha Aerospace and French defense firm Thales signed an MOU at Eurosatory 2026 on June 17 to integrate Chunmoo guided missiles with Thales X-Fire launcher platforms. The agreement covers three missile types: the CGR-080 guided rocket (80 km range, available now), the CTM-MR medium-range missile (~160 km), and the CTM-290 tactical ballistic missile (up to 290 km). The partnership positions Chunmoo technology for broader European adoption through France's established defense industrial base.
Hanwha Aerospace unveiled the Striker-S Medium Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MUSV) at Eurosatory 2026 on June 15. The 35-meter, 250-ton unmanned missile vessel integrates the Chunmoo rocket launcher for surface-to-surface and surface-to-ground naval strike missions using coordinated autonomous swarm tactics. The vessel features a 6-meter beam, a 20-foot container payload module rated at 10 tons, and includes counter-UAS capability for self-defense against enemy reconnaissance drones and loitering munitions.
Poland concluded approximately 40 defense contracts worth over 120 billion zloty ($33 billion) in a single day, becoming the first EU nation to tap the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) low-interest defense loan program. Korean weapons feature prominently including the Homar-K (Chunmoo) multiple rocket launcher system, K9PL self-propelled howitzer variants, and associated support vehicles. Polish Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz called it an "absolutely crucial day" and a world record for contracts signed in a single day.
An explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon facility on June 1 killed five workers and injured two during a cleaning operation involving solid rocket propellant residue. The Daejeon plant — a national high-security defense facility responsible for Chunmoo MLRS, L-SAM, and precision-guided munitions — was partially shut down under a suspension order. CEO Sohn Jae-il was booked under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and authorities are considering booking Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan. The incident raises questions about safety practices at Korea's largest defense manufacturer.
Hanwha Aerospace is in active talks with Germany, the UK and other European nations for new weapons deals, capitalizing on surging global arms spending. Global CSO Alex Wong disclosed at the Shangri-La Dialogue that Hanwha has established a German subsidiary in Berlin and is reviewing plans to build a Chunmoo manufacturing facility in eastern Germany. The company is pursuing European partnerships beyond existing customers Poland and Romania, covering procurement, local production, and workforce development.
The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments and KOTRA signed a government-to-government follow-on contract for three additional K239 Chunmoo MLRS launchers and support equipment, just five months after the initial €290M deal for six launchers in December 2025. Delivery is scheduled by end of 2027, bringing Estonia's total Chunmoo fleet to nine systems. The rapid re-order reflects strong confidence in Korean weapons systems proven in extreme cold conditions. Estonia has operated K9 self-propelled howitzers since 2020.
|Seoul Economic Daily / Korea Herald / EDR Magazine / Defense Post
Hanwha Aerospace showcased its L-SAM long-range surface-to-air missile system and Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher at the Brussels European Defence Exhibition (BEDEX) 2026 from March 12-14, marking the L-SAM's first appearance at a European defense show. The L-SAM intercepts ballistic missiles at altitudes above 40 km using hit-to-kill technology, with mass production having begun in 2025. Hanwha also displayed the Chunmoo launcher alongside four types of guided missiles with ranges from 80 km to 290 km.
Hanwha Aerospace announced a EUR 100 million ($115.5M) investment in Estonia to establish a sustainment center, ammunition factory, and Chunmoo support infrastructure. The investment deepens Hanwha's footprint on NATO's northeastern flank following the October 2025 Estonian Chunmoo contract.
The French Army is evaluating the K239 Chunmoo as a temporary long-range strike solution while developing its own FLP-T system (expected post-2030). French think tank IFRI recommended the Chunmoo over alternatives including HIMARS. France called buying HIMARS "risky" and is considering local production of the Korean system.
Hanwha Aerospace broke ground on its first European production center, the Hanwha Armoured Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) Europe, in Petrești, Romania. The facility will produce K9 howitzers, K239 Chunmoo launchers, and armored vehicles for European NATO customers.
Norway selected Hanwha's K239 Chunmoo over the US HIMARS system in a NOK 19 billion (~$2 billion) deal for 16 launchers and missiles with range up to 500 km. The selection over a US system is a major validation of Korean MLRS technology.
Hanwha Aerospace signed a KRW 5.6 trillion (~$4.1 billion) third execution contract with Poland for Chunmoo guided missiles (CGR-080). Poland has now ordered 288 Chunmoo launchers designated Homar-K, with missile production technology transferred to Poland.
Norway has selected the K239 Chunmoo as its new multiple launch rocket system, becoming the third European customer after Poland and Romania. The deal builds on Norway's existing use of K9 VIDAR howitzers.
Romania has signed a contract for the K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, becoming the second European customer after Poland. The deal includes launchers and CTM-290 guided missiles.