STOCKHOLM — In a significant victory for South Korean defense exports, Norway selected Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system over prominent Western competitors for its ground-based long-range precision fires system.
This marks a notable shift in Nordic defense acquisitions, which have traditionally relied heavily on European and American defense firms.
“This is one of the largest investments ever made for the Army,” Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik stated in a Thursday press release.
Oslo selected Hanwha after an evaluation that determined only the Chunmoo fully met all requirements for performance, delivery speed, cost, and full system integration, according to Sandvik.
The 19 billion Norwegian kroner (around $2 billion) deal includes 16 launch systems and an unspecified “larger number of missiles” across three range variants, including the 500-kilometer (310-mile) range. The systems would introduce a critical new long-strike capability amid rising security concerns from Russia in the High North and NATO’s northern flank.
The competition, launched late 2024, featured four main bidders: Germany’s KNDS and Rheinmetall; a Swedish-American consortium of Saab and Boeing; and Hanwha. Norway also assessed a US alternative involving Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS.
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The solution from South Korea will be delivered “faster and more reasonable than the other alternatives,” the government said.
Deliveries are scheduled for the launch units and training materials in 2028 to 2029, followed by missiles in 2030 to 2031, achieving full operational status within four years, the government said in the press conference.
Hanwha added strong incentives to its Chunmoo pitch, including industrial cooperation with Norwegian firms valued at 120 percent of the contract, plus payments starting only upon deliveries. A signing ceremony is planned for Jan. 30.
Another major edge for Hanwha is its supply chain through production in Poland. Warsaw is already acquiring nearly 300 Chunmoo systems and thousands of missiles, and has established local missile production lines via a partnership with Hanwha. This will supply missiles to European users, including Norway, enhancing supply chain security and reliability for Norway and other European customers of the system, Oslo stated.
Not everyone is happy with the government’s choice, however. An opposition party, the Kristelig Folkeparti (Christian Democrats), voted against Hanwha’s proposal in the parliament Stortinget. Members of the party said they believe that Norway should have instead chosen a Norwegian-European cooperation option, local media VG reported.