Mariusz Błaszczak signed the deal at a ceremony in Warsaw, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
First batch of 18 launchers to be supplied in 2023
The first 18 of the South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems are slated for delivery next year, together with ammunition, Polish defence officials said.
After approving the contract, Błaszczak, who is also a deputy prime minister, told reporters: “The analysis of the war in Ukraine, especially an analysis of Ukraine’s successful defence against the Russian invasion, highlights the huge importance of artillery.”
He added: “And so we have decided to strengthen Polish artillery, especially rocket artillery.”
South Korean ‘HIMARS’
Błaszczak told reporters that the K239 Chunmoo “have very similar characteristics” to the US-made advanced HIMARS rocket systems ordered by Poland in 2019 and due to be delivered next year.
He stated that US contractors "weren’t able to provide a bigger number of HIMARS within a satisfactory time frame.”
The defence minister told reporters: “And so we entered into talks with South Korea, with our tested partners, with our friends, which has resulted in the signing of the framework agreement today.”
The “South Korean HIMARS” are capable of firing rockets with a range of up to 290 kilometres, according to officials.
Błaszczak said on Wednesday: “This is a very good weapon, very good equipment, and I believe it is our shared Polish-Korean success that the first battalion of the K239 Chunmoo will be delivered to Poland as early as next year.”
‘Right response to threats from the East’
The Polish defence minister disclosed that the South Korean rocket systems would be stationed in the east of Poland, "on the eastern flank of NATO," representing “the right response to the threats coming from the East.”
He added the K239 Chunmoo would help “effectively deter the aggressor … so that the aggressor doesn’t dare attack Poland and NATO countries.”
Orders for Polish defence industry
Błaszczak stressed that the deal would also mean orders for the domestic arms industry, with Poland set to provide the Jelcz chassis for the South Korean launchers, as well as the Topaz combat management system, command vehicles, armoured recovery vehicles, ammunition-supply vehicles and evacuation vehicles, the PAP news agency reported.
'Our cooperation results in increased security'
The defence minister hailed Polish-South Korean military cooperation, confirming that the first 10 South Korean K2 tanks and the first 24 South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzers would "depart from Seoul for Poland" on Wednesday.
They form the first instalment of Poland’s larger order for South Korean weaponry, signed by Błaszczak in the summer, a deal that also includes the delivery of South Korean FA-50 light fighter jets.
These moves come as Poland seeks to expand its armed forces amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, officials said.
Błaszczak said on Wednesday: “Together, Poland and South Korea can look after peace in the world by strengthening their armed forces and by implementing the NATO doctrine of deterrence.”
“Our cooperation results in increased security in the world,” Błaszczak stated, stressing that Poland was spending “more than 2 percent of its GDP on defence.”
Wednesday is day 238 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, gov.pl, dziennik.pl