Estonia to order South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems
Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur (left) and South Korean Minister of Defence Ahn Kyu-baek, October 23, 2025. Photo: Estonian Ministry of Defence
In recent years, the Estonian Armed Forces have been paying increased attention to rearmament and ordering various systems. The development of barrel-based and rocket-propelled weapons has become a priority. artillery — orders for the delivery of such equipment already exist and are being fulfilled. Another contract is expected to be signed in the near future. Thanks to this, the Estonian army will receive South Korean missile K239 Chunmoo complexes.
Bilateral agreement
Recently, the Estonian capital hosted another round of talks between the heads of the Estonian and South Korean defense ministries. This event culminated on October 23 with the signing of a military-technical cooperation agreement. The document outlines the main areas of cooperation in defense and rearmament.
During the signing ceremony, the Estonian side officially announced for the first time its desire to purchase South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems/missile systems. The supply of such systems became one of the main topics of the new document.
The two countries have reportedly reached an agreement in principle. They will soon hold the necessary negotiations to determine the terms of the future contract. At this stage, the quantity of equipment to be supplied, the type of ammunition, the production and delivery schedule, and so on will be determined. Estonia may have already drawn up some preliminary plans and proposals, but cannot disclose them yet.
It's still unknown how long the negotiations will last and when the contract will be signed. This process is expected to take at least several months. Subsequent fulfillment of the order will take several more years, depending on its size and other factors.
A South Korean Army K239 multiple launch rocket system. Photo: Hanwha Aerospace
The Estonian Ministry of Defense has disclosed the goals and objectives of the future procurement of South Korean MLRS and the overall rearmament of its artillery. It seeks to gain the capability to strike deep into enemy defenses. To this end, modern barrel and rocket systems have been acquired in recent years, and these will now be complemented by the K239 systems.
Russia, predictably, is seen as the main potential adversary. Together with other Baltic and European countries, Estonia intends to counter the notorious Russian threat. Imported long-range systems are expected to become an effective deterrent.
Technology and its potential
The K239 system was developed at the turn of the 2000s by a group of South Korean companies under the overall leadership of the Defense Development Agency of the Ministry of Defense. In the mid-2010s, Hanwha Aerospace and its affiliates began producing multiple rocket launchers and missiles for them.
The South Korean army has become the primary customer for Chunmoo products, having received approximately 220 combat vehicles to date. They have also been supplied to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Furthermore, in 2023, Poland began licensed production of the systems for its army. These MLRS systems are known as Homar-K.
The K239 is a multi-role system capable of firing several types of rockets and missiles with varying characteristics. Depending on the munition used, the combat vehicle functions as either a multiple launch rocket system or a tactical missile system.
The Polish version of the MLRS is the Homar-K. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The K239L combat vehicle is built on a four-axle automobile chassis with suitable specifications. The vehicle's cabin is equipped with bulletproof and fragmentation-resistant armor. A universal launcher is mounted in the rear of the chassis. The overall length of this MLRS, depending on the chassis type, reaches 9-10 meters, and the combat weight is at least 30 tons.
The launcher is designed as a hull housing two standardized transport and launch containers. Hydraulics provide horizontal and vertical guidance. Control of the drives and launch is performed remotely from the cabin.
The standardized transport and launch container (TLC) holds 10 K33 rockets with a range of 36 km. Larger KM26A2 rockets with a range of 45 km and the CGR-080, with a range of 80 km, have also been developed. Each TLC holds six of these missiles. The CTM-MR/ASBM tactical ballistic missile with a range of 160 km has been developed. A container holds four of these missiles. The CTM-290 missile has the longest range, reaching 290 km. A MLRS can only carry two of these missiles, one per container. New missiles are also being developed and existing ones are being modified.
The MLRS/OTRK system includes the K239T transporter-loader vehicle. It has an open cargo platform for transporting the missiles and feeding them to the launcher. Reloading the combat vehicle takes just a few minutes.
Growing potential
It's worth remembering that until recently, Estonia lacked rocket artillery. This seriously limited the combat capabilities of its ground forces, and appropriate measures were regularly proposed.
The first real step was taken in December 2022. At that time, the Estonian Ministry of Defense ordered six M142 HIMARS combat vehicles from the US, along with missiles for them—GMLRS, GMLRS-ER, and ATACMS. The equipment and ammunition had to wait until the spring of 2025. In July, the first firing tests took place at an Estonian training ground with the participation of local troops.
Missiles for the K239 system. Photo by Hanwha Aerospace
In early October, reports surfaced in the foreign press about a new contract in the works. Estonia may order six additional MLRS systems and a large quantity of ammunition for them. The contract has not yet been signed, and its terms remain unknown. However, it can be assumed that the delivery of the equipment will once again be delayed for several years.
Estonia and South Korea recently signed a preliminary agreement on future deliveries of K239 MLRS. The quantity, cost, configuration, and delivery timeframe for this equipment have not yet been determined. Negotiating the contract terms will take some time.
Following the completion of one existing and two planned contracts, the Estonian Armed Forces will receive at least 12 combat vehicles and dozens of transport and launch vehicles with missiles of various classes. For the Estonian Army, this will be a large and powerful rocket artillery force. It's worth remembering, however, that just a year ago, the troops had no such equipment at all.
Several types of rockets are supplied with the American HIMARS MLRS. The GMLRS is designed to engage targets at ranges of 90 km, while the GMLRS-ER extends the firing range to 150 km. The M57 ATACMS tactical rocket has a range of 300 km.
The South Korean K239 MLRS/SRBM can also use a variety of munitions. These missiles are capable of striking a variety of ground targets and have a range of up to 290 km. It is still unknown which of these missiles Estonia will select, order, and adopt.
The first batch of M142s for the Estonian Army, April 2025. Photo: Estonian Ministry of Defence
The Estonian Ministry of Defense expects that the procurement of two types of MLRS and a wide range of ammunition for them will provide the army with entirely new firepower. The ground forces will gain access to an important tool with broad combat potential, which is expected to positively impact their overall defense capabilities.
However, in light of the intended missions, such plans appear quite modest. The fact is that Estonia intends to use the new equipment to counter and deter Russia. The long-range missiles for HIMARS and Chunmoo are likely intended to pose a threat to Russian facilities near the Estonian border.
However, the disparity in the size and capabilities of the Estonian and Russian armies is too great for such a plan to be feasible. Furthermore, experience from the ongoing Special Operation to Demilitarize Ukraine demonstrates that Russian armed forces are capable of finding and destroying enemy MLRS systems and intercepting their missiles.
Additional risks
Estonia's desire to develop its military by acquiring new equipment, including previously unavailable classes, is understandable. Furthermore, Estonia's military and political leadership is following a common European course and intends to use its new capabilities against Russia.
However, there is every reason to doubt the Estonian leadership's plans. Its army won't pose a significant threat to Russia, but it will receive a symmetrical response. In essence, the current rearmament will create new risks for Estonia itself. Whether it is ready for such a step is a big question.
Information