Norway has agreed to buy 16 Chunmoo rocket artillery launchers and an undisclosed number of rockets from South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace for 19 billion NOK (about $2.0bn) to bolster deterrence against Russia. The Chunmoo system reportedly met Norway's requirements, including a 500 km range, and offered the fastest delivery schedule among bidders. Launch units and training are due in 2028–29, with missiles arriving in 2030–31. The government rejected a slower, costlier push for a European missile alternative.
Norway Orders $2 Billion Chunmoo Rocket Artillery From Hanwha to Strengthen Deterrence Against Russia
Hanwha Aerospace logo is seen in this illustration taken July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Norway has signed a 19 billion Norwegian crowns (about $2.0 billion) contract with South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace to buy 16 Chunmoo long-range rocket artillery launchers and an undisclosed number of rockets, the Norwegian defence ministry announced on Thursday. The purchase is part of Oslo's effort to strengthen deterrence in the Arctic and across NATO amid heightened security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Details of the Deal
Under the agreement, Hanwha will deliver launch units and training materials in 2028 and 2029, with missile deliveries scheduled for 2030 and 2031. Norwegian officials said the Chunmoo system met all technical requirements for ground-based artillery, including the ability to fire to ranges of up to 500 km (310 miles), and offered the quickest delivery timetable among bidders.
Competitors and European Production
Hanwha's Chunmoo beat a competing offer from U.S. defence firm Lockheed Martin's HIMARS. To secure manufacturing capacity on European soil, Hanwha last year agreed with Poland's WB Electronics to form a joint venture that will produce missiles in Poland, including rounds for the Chunmoo system.
'Hanwha will deliver launch units and training materials in 2028 and 2029, and missiles in 2030 and 2031,' Norway's Defence Minister Tore Sandvik said in the ministry statement.
Political Debate
Some members of Norway's parliament argued the country should invest in developing a European missile alternative. The government rejected that option, saying it would be slower and more costly than buying an off-the-shelf system that meets Norway's urgent needs.
Context
European governments have been increasing defence spending in recent years, responding both to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and to pressure from NATO partners to bolster collective deterrence. Norway shares an Arctic land border with Russia, making long-range artillery capabilities strategically significant for its defence planning.
Exchange rate used: $1 = 9.5724 Norwegian crowns.
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