Croatia Orders 18 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launchers in €411.8 Million Hanwha Deal

The contract, signed on 10 September at the Office of the Prime Minister of Croatia, covers not only the launchers but also precision-guided rocket ammunition, ammunition carriers, command vehicles and integrated logistics support.

Deliveries are scheduled to continue through 2030.

The deal represents a significant investment in the modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces and gives Zagreb a new long-range precision-strike capability. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the Chunmoo system would provide the armed forces with the ability to act rapidly and precisely against high-value targets at distances of approximately 30 to 300 kilometres.

For Hanwha Aerospace, meanwhile, the agreement marks another step in its push to establish Chunmoo as a major multiple rocket launcher system in the European defence market.

Croatia orders 18 Chunmoo MRLS.

What Croatia is buying

Under the agreement, Croatia will receive 18 Chunmoo launchers along with a wider package of equipment and services.

The contract includes ammunition carriers, fire-direction command vehicles and integrated logistics support. Croatia will also receive several types of precision-guided rockets designed for short-, medium- and long-range missions.

Training and lifecycle support are also part of the package.

This is important because the purchase is not simply an acquisition of launch vehicles. Modern multiple rocket launcher systems depend on a broader network of ammunition, command-and-control equipment, communications, training and logistical support.

The Croatian package is therefore intended to establish a complete operational capability rather than leave the country to develop supporting infrastructure separately.

Hanwha will supply 18 Chunmoo MRLS to Croatia.

A new long-range capability for Croatia

The Chunmoo is designed to provide mobile and precise rocket artillery capability.

Mounted on an 8×8 wheeled platform, the system can carry two rocket pods at the same time and use different types of guided munitions. This allows operators to select ammunition according to the range and type of mission required.

The system’s stated engagement range for the Croatian configuration extends from approximately 30 to 300 kilometres, according to the Croatian Prime Minister.

That range gives the Croatian Armed Forces a capability beyond traditional short-range artillery and could allow the system to support operations against targets considerably farther from the front line.

Mobility is another central feature. The wheeled platform is intended to allow the launcher to move rapidly, potentially helping units relocate after firing and making them more difficult to target.

Poland’s TOPAZ system to be integrated

Croatia’s Chunmoo configuration will also incorporate the TOPAZ battlefield management system developed by Polish defence company WB Group.

The integration is significant because TOPAZ is designed to support command, control and battlefield management. Incorporating it into the Croatian configuration is expected to help improve interoperability with other European users of the Chunmoo system.

Interoperability has become increasingly important for European armed forces as countries seek to operate more effectively with neighbouring militaries and NATO partners.

A common or compatible approach to command systems, training, logistics and ammunition can make cooperation easier during multinational exercises and potential operations.

The Croatian purchase therefore has implications beyond the 18 launchers themselves.

Chunmoo expands its European user base

Croatia becomes the latest European country to select the Chunmoo system.

Hanwha Aerospace said the system has already been selected by countries including Poland, Estonia and Norway. The expansion of the user base is giving the company an opportunity to develop a broader European support network around the system.

The company has also announced plans to formally launch a Chunmoo User Club in 2027.

The announcement follows a Chunmoo User Workshop held in Estonia on 3 September. Such initiatives can provide users with opportunities to share experience and cooperate on areas such as training, interoperability and logistics.

For European operators, a growing user community could potentially make it easier to coordinate training and support arrangements while creating greater familiarity between national armed forces operating the same weapon system.

Hanwha-Croatia contract signing ceremony.

Why the deal matters to Hanwha Aerospace

The Croatian contract is significant for Hanwha because it establishes its first defence relationship with Zagreb.

The company described the agreement as the beginning of a long-term defence partnership with Croatia and said it would provide proven capabilities, lifecycle support and long-term cooperation.

The deal also strengthens Hanwha’s position in a European market where governments are increasing defence spending and looking to modernise military equipment.

The expansion of the Chunmoo user base gives the South Korean company an opportunity to build on earlier European contracts while promoting a system that can be adapted to national requirements.

Its modular design allows customers to use different precision-guided rockets and integrate the launcher with national command-and-control and battlefield management systems.

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Part of a wider European defence shift

Croatia’s decision comes amid a broader effort by European countries to strengthen their military capabilities.

The security environment in Europe has encouraged governments to invest in artillery, air defence, ammunition, armoured vehicles and other capabilities. Long-range precision fires have attracted particular attention because they can provide militaries with the ability to engage important targets at greater distances.

For Croatia, the Chunmoo acquisition represents a substantial modernisation programme. For Hanwha, it provides another foothold in the European defence market.

The contract also demonstrates how defence procurement is increasingly about more than the initial delivery of equipment. Countries are looking at training, logistics, command systems, ammunition supplies and long-term maintenance as part of a complete capability.

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Hanwha-Croatia-Chunmoo MRLS Contract Signing Ceremony.

Deliveries to continue until 2030

The €411.8 million agreement will be implemented over several years, with deliveries continuing through 2030.

That timeline gives Croatia time to introduce the Chunmoo system, train personnel and integrate it into its existing military structure.

The inclusion of the TOPAZ battlefield management system should also help connect the new capability with Croatia’s wider command-and-control architecture.

For Hanwha Aerospace, successful delivery will be important in demonstrating its ability to supply advanced land systems on schedule while supporting customers over their full operational lifecycle.

The company’s growing list of European customers suggests that Chunmoo is becoming an increasingly visible competitor in the continent’s market for long-range rocket artillery.

With Croatia now joining Poland, Estonia and Norway as European Chunmoo users, Hanwha is seeking to turn individual national purchases into a wider network of interoperable systems.

The planned Chunmoo User Club in 2027 could be the next step in that strategy, creating a framework for cooperation among operators and further strengthening the system’s position in Europe.

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