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Croatia said Friday it will buy 18 South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers worth €544.1 million ($632.4 million), as part of a wider effort to modernize its armed forces.
The Croatian government approved the purchase as part of a package of investments in the modernization and equipment of the army.
The procurement includes launchers, missile ammunition and accompanying equipment. Deliveries will take place between 2026 and 2029.
The Chunmoo systems will replace Croatia’s outdated SVLR Vulkan and SVLR GRAD BM-21 systems.
They will give the army the ability to conduct precision fire against targets at distances beyond the range of conventional barrel and rocket artillery.
The Defense Ministry will procure the launchers along with associated equipment and systems by 2029, the government said.
State-run HINA news agency said 18 launchers would be purchased.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the purchase was one of Croatia’s largest and most important military investments since the end of the 1990s independence war.
“After Rafale, this is one of the largest and most important investments in the modernization of the Croatian Armed Forces since the end of the Homeland War,” Plenkovic said.
“For the first time, we are acquiring the ability to quickly and precisely engage targets at very long distances,” he added.
The Chunmoo can use two different types of missiles of different calibers on the same launcher, according to the government.
The K239 Chunmoo was designed as a modular rocket launcher capable of firing multiple calibers, including 130mm and 239mm munitions.
“Croatia is investing in its defense capabilities, not to threaten anyone, but in order to deter any threat, guarantee the security of Croatian citizens, territory and national interests, and thus contribute to the collective security and defense of Europe,” Plenkovic said.
The procurement procedure was conducted with Hanwha Aerospace in South Korea and WB Electronics in Poland.
Hanwha Aerospace will supply the launchers, missile ammunition and accompanying equipment.
WB Electronics will provide the command-and-control system.
Zagreb has already purchased eight U.S.-made HIMARS rocket launchers, whose delivery is expected in 2028.
Croatia is a member of both NATO and the European Union.
Last year, the country spent 2.08% of its gross domestic product, or €1.93 billion, on defense.
The government also approved additional equipment for Croatia’s Rafale multirole fighter aircraft worth €112.2 million, including VAT.
The equipment will upgrade the aircraft from the F3R standard to F4 and includes missile detectors and systems for detecting, identifying and tracking targets in the air, the Defense Ministry said.
The government also approved an upgrade of the air force combat communications system at a cost of €41.1 million, with work scheduled from 2026 to 2030.
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