Poland to buy S.Korean rocket launchers after tank, howitzer sales (updated)

HYUNDAI ROTEM

19/10/2022 08:31

(Updates with Polish defence ministry's announcement)
    By Soo-hyang Choi
       SEOUL, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Poland is set to buy rocket
artillery systems in its latest arms deal with South Korea,
following shipments of tanks and howitzers, as it ramps up arms
imports after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, South Korean
officials said on Wednesday.
    Poland is expected to sign a deal with Hanwha Defense, the
defence unit of South Korea's Hanwha Corp  000880.KS , on
Wednesday to buy the K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers,
officials said.
    Under the contract, South Korea will supply 288 multiple
rocket launchers, with 18 expected to arrive in Poland as early
as 2023, the Polish defence ministry said. 
    The agreement comes as South Korean companies shipped the
first batch of tanks and howitzers to Poland.
    The two countries signed a $5.8 billion contract in Warsaw
in July in a deal that Poland said was a key part of its effort
to beef up its military after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
    The Feb. 24 invasion, which Russia calls a "special military
operation", has raised security fears among many former eastern
bloc countries. NATO member Poland has vowed to boost defence
spending to 3% of gross domestic product and to more than double
the size of its army.
    Hyundai Rotem Co.  064350.KS  said its first shipment
included 10 K2 Black Panther tanks of the 180 to be delivered by
2025. Hanwha Defense said it was sending 24 K9 self-propelled
howitzers, among 212 to be shipped by 2026.
    Poland has also agreed to buy 48 FA-50 fighter jets from
South Korea. Mariusz Blaszczak, Poland's defence minister, said
in a July media interview the aircraft would be delivered next
year.  
 (Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Additional reporting by Anna
Koper in Warsaw. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
 ((soohyang.choi@thomsonreuters.com;))