In a significant move to strengthen Poland’s defense capabilities, Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea has entered into two key agreements with local defense entities aimed at enhancing ammunition certification and missile production. These agreements signify a commitment to bolster Poland’s domestic defense production while decreasing its dependence on foreign imports.
The first agreement, a memorandum of understanding with the state-owned Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU), establishes a collaborative framework for the joint testing of 155-millimeter ammunition compatible with existing platforms used by the Polish Armed Forces. This partnership is set to facilitate technical exchanges and initiate potential research and development projects. Hanwha Aerospace stated that the collaboration will be instrumental in securing certification for Poland’s self-propelled howitzers and establishing a robust ammunition production base within Europe.
Billy Boo Hwan Lee, the head of Hanwha Aerospace’s Precision Guided Munitions division, emphasized that the collaborative initiatives in research and development, along with scientific exchange, would enhance both parties’ capabilities and pave the way for innovative solutions in security and defense.
In a parallel effort, Hanwha has formed a joint venture with WB Group, Poland’s largest defense contractor, focused on producing CGR-080 guided missiles intended for the Homar-K multiple-launch rocket system. This system is a Polish variant of South Korea’s Chunmoo artillery. The production is anticipated to ramp up significantly prior to the end of 2028, with an expected creation of approximately 250 jobs in Poland.
This missile project builds on a previously announced strategy that aims to localize the production of munitions for the Chunmoo system, which includes domestically manufactured rockets and missiles. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Marcin Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted the importance of this agreement in advancing Poland’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing. He called it a milestone in the nation’s efforts to enhance its own defense production capabilities.
Hanwha Aerospace CEO Jae-il Son reiterated this commitment, stating that the project will not only localize the manufacturing of the CGR-080 but also involve the transfer of essential know-how and the co-development of next-generation munitions in collaboration with Polish partners. He added, “It is a commitment of investment, people, and technology in Poland, for a safer Europe,” underscoring the broader implications of these agreements for regional security and defense.
