Estonia’s Ministry of Defense has signed a defense cooperation agreement in Seoul to acquire South Korea’s K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, expanding its long-range strike capabilities alongside U.S.-made HIMARS systems. The move reinforces Estonia’s deterrence posture on NATO’s eastern front and deepens transcontinental defense-industrial cooperation.
Signed on October 23, 2025, the agreement also includes industrial localization worth tens of millions of euros, following Poland’s dual-track model that combines American and Korean launcher systems. Estonia received its first HIMARS units earlier this year and continues negotiations to expand the fleet.
The K239 Chunmoo offers remarkable flexibility, capable of firing 131 mm rockets to 36 km, 239 mm guided rockets to 80 km, and CTM-290 tactical missiles reaching up to 290 km. This allows a single platform to perform both close-support and deep-strike missions.
In contrast, HIMARS provides lighter, precision-focused capabilities, launching six GMLRS-ER rockets up to 150 km or one ATACMS missile up to 300 km. Together, the two systems offer complementary firepower—Chunmoo for high-volume salvos, and HIMARS for precision engagements.
By pairing these systems, Estonia enhances its operational flexibility and complicates adversary counter-battery efforts. The dual integration boosts NATO’s front-line deterrence against Russia and aligns with Europe’s growing cooperation with South Korea’s expanding defense industry.
