Estonia Confirms €300 Million Deal for Six South Korean K239 Chunmoo Missile System

Estonia has officially announced the purchase of the South Korean K239 Chunmoo long-range missile artillery system, marking one of the most significant defence procurements in the country’s modern history. Valued at approximately €300 million, the agreement covers six launchers along with three types of precision-guided munitions: CGR-080, CTM-MR, and CTM-290 missiles.

The deal places Estonia among a growing group of nations investing in advanced, high-mobility rocket artillery as Europe accelerates the modernization of long-range strike capabilities. For Estonia, the acquisition represents a substantial leap in both range and precision compared to its existing indirect fire assets, significantly strengthening deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank.

A First for CTM-MR Abroad

One of the most notable aspects of the agreement is Estonia’s decision to procure the CTM-MR missile, making it the first foreign country to operate this particular Chunmoo munition. The CTM-MR is designed to bridge the gap between shorter-range guided rockets and long-range ballistic-class missiles, offering commanders greater targeting flexibility while maintaining high accuracy.

Alongside the CTM-MR, the package includes CGR-080 guided rockets for medium-range precision strikes and CTM-290 missiles, which extend the system’s reach deep into operational depth. Together, these munitions allow Estonia to tailor its fire missions across a wide spectrum, from counter-battery operations to long-range strategic targets.

A Modular System with Expanding Options

The Chunmoo system is known for its modular architecture, enabling it to fire a broad family of missiles and rockets from the same launcher. Beyond the three munitions included in Estonia’s initial order, there are more than three times as many additional Chunmoo-compatible missiles, ranging from heavier high-explosive variants to specialized warheads designed for niche missions.

This flexibility allows customer nations to expand or adapt their arsenals over time without replacing launch vehicles, a factor that has played a major role in Chunmoo’s growing international appeal. In practical terms, operators can order or employ munitions as required, depending on mission requirements, terrain, and escalation considerations.

Hanwha’s Growing Footprint in Europe

South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, the manufacturer of the Chunmoo system, confirmed that Estonia’s purchase is part of a broader push into Northern Europe and the Baltic region. According to the company, the system is being actively marketed to countries including Norway, Latvia, and Lithuania, while negotiations are also underway with several Middle Eastern and Asian states.

Hanwha’s momentum reflects a wider shift in global defence procurement, where non-US systems are increasingly being adopted alongside, or in some cases instead of, traditional Western platforms. The Chunmoo has benefited from this trend by offering NATO-compatible precision, high production scalability, and rapid delivery timelines.

Global Operators and Strategic Context

At present, the Chunmoo system is operated in large numbers by South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, and Saudi Arabia. In terms of current and planned deployments worldwide, it ranks just below the US HIMARS system, underscoring its status as one of the most widely adopted modern multiple launch rocket systems on the global market.

For Estonia, the acquisition aligns closely with lessons from recent conflicts, where long-range precision fires have proven decisive. It also enhances interoperability with allied forces, strengthening collective deterrence across the region.

Production Scale and Long-Term Value

Defence analysts often note that the nature of weapons systems procurement is cumulative: the more a system is produced, the stronger and more resilient its supply network becomes. Increased production volumes help cushion manufacturers and customers alike against inflationary pressures, stabilize spare-parts availability, and encourage continuous reinvestment in upgrades and new capabilities.

In this context, Estonia’s decision contributes not only to its own national security but also to the broader industrial ecosystem surrounding the Chunmoo platform. For Hanwha Aerospace, the deal represents another clear strategic victory, reinforcing confidence in the system and accelerating its global expansion.

As Estonia prepares to integrate the K239 Chunmoo into its armed forces, the announcement stands as both a strategic milestone for the country and a symbol of South Korea’s expanding role as a major global defence supplier