Warsaw: South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace Co. has entered into an agreement to form a joint venture with Poland's prominent defense group, WB Group, to produce guided missiles for the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) in Poland, as announced by officials on Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the partnership will lead to the production of the 80-kilometer-range guided missile, known as the CGR-80, tailored for the Homar-K, a variant of the Chunmoo system intended for export to Poland. This initiative marks a significant milestone as it is the first collaboration between South Korea's leading defense company, Hanwha Aerospace, and a major Polish defense firm, highlighting Poland's strategic importance for South Korea's defense exports.

The guided rockets produced by this joint venture will primarily be supplied to Poland. Additionally, Hanwha Aerospace plans to explore opportunities for exporting these rockets to other European countries, pending discussions with WB Group. This move is part of South Korea's broader strategy to expand its defense exports across Europe, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Poland has been actively strengthening its defense capabilities through various agreements with South Korea in recent years. These include procuring K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 light attack aircraft, solidifying the defense ties between the two nations.