The Malaysian Armed Forces may soon see a significant boost in its artillery capabilities as South Korea’s cutting-edge Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MRLS), the K239 Chunmoo, appears poised to enter the Malaysian defense market. Produced by South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, the K239 Chunmoo could replace or potentially complement the long-standing ASTROS MRLS systems in Malaysia, which were manufactured by Avibras, a Brazilian defense firm. This comes at a time when the Southeast Asian region is increasingly focused on enhancing military capabilities in response to shifting geopolitical tensions and emerging regional threats.
The K239 Chunmoo has been hailed as a robust competitor to the United States-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which is widely recognized for its precision, range, and tactical flexibility. Experts suggest that Hanwha Aerospace’s MRLS holds its own when compared to HIMARS, offering advanced capabilities that align with Malaysia’s evolving defense requirements. Interest in the K239 Chunmoo was spotlighted earlier this year during the DSA & NATSEC 2024 defense exhibition, where Hanwha Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s Widad Business Group, signaling the potential for this new system to make its way into the Malaysian arsenal.
The collaboration between Hanwha Aerospace and Malaysia’s Widad Business Group marks a significant step in advancing Malaysia’s defense capabilities. The partnership, signed by Tan Sri Muhammad Ikmal Opat Abdullah, Executive Chairman of Widad Business Group, and Go Sang-Hwe, Executive Vice President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon Plant, demonstrates the strengthening ties between South Korea and Malaysia in the field of defense. According to Widad’s official statement, this collaboration is expected to promote innovation, enhance defense capabilities, and foster technology transfer in Malaysia, aligning with the country’s aspirations for a more robust and self-reliant defense industry.
Muhammad Ikmal expressed optimism that the MoU would lead to tangible outcomes, including more efficient artillery solutions for Malaysia’s armed forces. “This partnership stands to enhance Malaysia’s defense infrastructure while encouraging local innovation and expertise,” he said. “We are confident that Hanwha’s cutting-edge technology, combined with Widad’s commitment to local development, will significantly benefit Malaysia’s defense landscape.”
The K239 Chunmoo MRLS system is a testament to South Korea’s growing technological prowess in defense systems. Designed to replace the aging Kooryong MRLS, Chunmoo offers several innovative features that position it as a valuable addition to modern militaries:
Multi-Caliber Rocket Capabilities: The K239 Chunmoo can launch three distinct calibers of rockets—130mm, 227mm, and 239mm—enabling it to hit targets at varying distances. The system’s effective range includes:
- 130mm rockets with a range of 36 km
- 227mm rockets reaching up to 80 km
- 239mm rockets with an impressive range of 290 km
Tactical Guided Projectiles: Chunmoo can also launch tactical guided projectiles with a caliber of 600mm, providing precision strike capabilities that can be decisive in high-stakes engagements.
Rapid Deployment and Mobility: The system is designed for rapid deployment, capable of being set up in under five minutes. Its reloading process is also streamlined, allowing for minimal downtime between missions.
Enhanced Tactical Mobility: One of Chunmoo’s core strengths is its mobility, enabling deployment in various terrains. This flexibility allows military forces to execute rapid repositioning to maximize tactical advantages on the battlefield.
Analysts have noted the striking similarities between the K239 Chunmoo and the HIMARS system, widely used by the United States military. Both systems are highly mobile, capable of delivering precision-guided munitions over long distances, and can deploy quickly. However, Chunmoo’s multi-caliber capability stands out as a distinctive advantage, allowing it to adapt to diverse mission profiles while accommodating different types of rockets. This adaptability could provide a strategic advantage for the Malaysian Armed Forces, especially in complex operational scenarios that require versatile response options.
While HIMARS has been extensively battle-tested in conflicts worldwide, the K239 Chunmoo has proven itself through its use by the South Korean military and recent orders from other countries, including Poland. Poland, a recent adopter of the Chunmoo, signed a deal for 288 units in 2022 and has already received initial deliveries. The Polish variant, known as the “Homar-K,” will complement Poland’s existing HIMARS systems, underscoring the view that Chunmoo can work alongside HIMARS or serve as a viable alternative.
South Korea embarked on the development of the K239 Chunmoo in 2009, primarily as a countermeasure to North Korean artillery capabilities. By 2013, the project was completed with a total investment of approximately US$112 million (around RM530 million), underscoring Seoul’s commitment to enhancing its long-range artillery options. Since then, Hanwha Aerospace’s MRLS system has gained traction not only within South Korea but also with international clients seeking advanced, reliable artillery solutions.
The adoption of Chunmoo by the Polish military represents a major milestone for Hanwha Aerospace, positioning the MRLS system as an increasingly popular option for militaries looking for versatile and effective artillery solutions. Poland’s decision to integrate Chunmoo alongside HIMARS highlights the flexibility and interoperability of the system, qualities that resonate with other nations facing complex security environments.
In addition to Poland, several countries in the Middle East have adopted the Chunmoo, and interest in the system is reportedly growing in other regions. Analysts believe that Malaysia’s potential acquisition of the K239 Chunmoo could mark the beginning of a broader trend in Southeast Asia, where countries are becoming more discerning in their defense procurement strategies. With increased attention on localizing defense production, Malaysia’s partnership with Widad Business Group also underscores the strategic importance of domestic partnerships for foreign defense firms.
Widad Business Group’s role in the potential acquisition of the K239 Chunmoo is crucial for Malaysia’s vision of bolstering its local defense industry. The MoU signed with Hanwha Aerospace represents more than a simple defense purchase—it opens doors to technology transfer, skill development, and increased opportunities for Malaysia to participate in the production, maintenance, and possible future upgrades of the system.
Aside from the Chunmoo MRLS, Widad has also formed partnerships to address other training and technological needs of the Malaysian Armed Forces. At the DSA & NATSEC 2024 exhibition, Widad signed an MoU with Havelsan Hava Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, a Turkish defense company, to introduce the Weapon Training Shooting Simulator (WeTSS) system. The WeTSS is expected to enhance Malaysia’s training capabilities by providing advanced, realistic training scenarios for the Malaysian Armed Forces.
