▲ The multiple launch rocket system Chunmoo fires toward the sea off Goseong, Gangwon Province, northeastern South Korea, as the Army's 3rd Artillery Brigade conducts a two-day nighttime live-fire drill that began April 16, 2025, in this file photo released by the Army. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ This file photo, provided by Hanwha Aerospace Co., shows company president and chief executive officer (CEO) Son Jae-il (R) and Gro Jaere, director general of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, posing for a photo at a K9 Vidar self-propelled howitzer supply deal signing ceremony in Oslo on Sept. 19, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Hanwha Aerospace-Norway project

(LEAD) Hanwha Aerospace wins US$1.9 bln Norway rocket deal involving supply of 16 launch units

(ATTN: UPDATES with details from para 5; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- Hanwha Aerospace Co., a South Korean defense giant, has won a major defense contract from Norway to supply land-based long-range precision artillery systems, the Oslo government said Thursday.

Under the deal worth 19 billion Norwegian kroner (US$1.9 billion), Hanwha Aerospace will provide the Norwegian Armed Forces with its Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), along with missiles, launch vehicles, training equipment and integrated logistics support, Norway's Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

The systems will give the Norwegian Army a new long-range strike capability, with missiles offering multiple range options of up to 500 kilometers, the ministry said.

The contract includes 16 launch units and a larger number of missiles.

An official contract signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday in Oslo, with senior officials from both countries, including Kang Hoon-sik, South Korean presidential chief of staff, expected to attend.

Norway selected Hanwha Aerospace following an international competition launched in November 2024 also involving European and U.S. defense firms. Oslo said Hanwha was the only supplier that met all requirements related to performance, delivery schedule and cost.

According to the Norwegian government, deliveries of launch systems and training equipment are scheduled for 2028-2029, while missile deliveries are expected in 2030-2031.

Missile production is planned to be established in Poland, where the same system is also being procured.

Hanwha Aerospace has also proposed an industrial cooperation program with Norwegian companies equivalent to 120 percent of the contract value.

The agreement marks Hanwha Aerospace's latest major success in the Nordic defense market, following its previous contracts to supply K9 Vidar self-propelled howitzers to Norway in September.

Industry observers say the deal further underscores Hanwha's growing footprint in Europe and its ability to meet stringent operational and industrial requirements set by European defense customers.

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