Norway selects Hanwha K239 long range weapon system
Norway has selected the Hanwha K239 long range weapon system as its future long range fires capability, choosing the South Korean solution over competing offers from European and US industry. The decision was confirmed through an official announcement by Norwegian defense authorities, marking one of the most significant artillery and missile acquisitions in Europe in recent years.
The contract is valued at roughly two billion dollars and covers sixteen launchers, three types of missiles with ranges up to five hundred kilometers, as well as full logistics, training, and support packages. According to the official statement, Hanwha was the only bidder that met all Norwegian requirements related to performance, delivery timelines, and overall cost.
The selection concludes a lengthy competition under Norway’s long range weapon system program, aimed at strengthening national deterrence and improving the ability to conduct deep precision strikes in support of NATO operations.
Only bidder to meet all requirements
Norwegian officials stated that Hanwha’s proposal was the sole offer that fully complied with operational and industrial criteria. These included missile range, accuracy, system maturity, delivery schedules, and life cycle costs.
SAAB and Boeing did not submit a bid by the March 2025 deadline. Norway also examined the option of acquiring HIMARS through Lockheed Martin via the US Foreign Military Sales process, but no final proposal was pursued. KNDS, offering a European alternative, was reportedly eliminated from the competition in June 2025.
The outcome reflects a growing emphasis among European militaries on systems that are already in service, available at scale, and supported by established production lines.
Delivery timeline and system scope
Under the current plan, Hanwha will deliver the K239 launchers to Norway by 2029, with missile deliveries scheduled to begin by 2031. The acquisition includes three different missile types, allowing the Norwegian Armed Forces to conduct a wide range of missions from conventional precision fires to longer range strike operations.
The K239 multiple rocket launch system is designed to fire various classes of guided and unguided munitions. This flexibility was a key factor in Norway’s evaluation, as the armed forces seek a system that can adapt to evolving threats and mission profiles over the coming decades.
Growing European user base
Norway’s decision adds to a rapidly expanding European footprint for the K239 system. Hanwha recently signed a contract with Estonia, and Poland has already fielded the system at scale. Estonia and Norway are expected to participate in joint training exchanges with Polish forces, focusing on system operation, tactics, and sustainment.
A rocket manufacturing facility operated by Hanwha WB Advanced Systems is scheduled to be built in Poland. Ammunition produced at this site will be supplied to multiple users of the K239 family, strengthening regional supply chains and reducing dependence on external sources during crises.
This industrial setup aligns with broader NATO goals to expand European defense production capacity and ensure sustained access to key munitions.
Global deployment and production scale
The K239 is currently in operational service in South Korea, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Alongside the US made HIMARS, it is among the most widely produced modern rocket artillery systems in the world.
Hanwha is actively marketing the K239 to countries across Northern Europe, the Baltic region, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Potential and existing customers include Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Egypt, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
The system’s appeal lies in its modular design, compatibility with different missile types, and the ability to integrate into NATO command and control architectures.
Strategic implications for Norway and NATO
For Norway, the acquisition significantly enhances long range strike capability at a time of heightened security concerns in Northern Europe. The ability to hold targets at extended ranges supports deterrence, improves joint operations with allies, and complements air and maritime strike assets.
From a NATO perspective, the selection of a non US system underscores the alliance’s growing diversification of suppliers, while still maintaining interoperability. It also highlights South Korea’s rising role as a major global defense exporter, particularly in land based firepower and missile technologies.
Hanwha Group offers capabilities across tactical, operational, and strategic missile domains. The company is also promoting advanced air and missile defense systems, including high altitude interception solutions such as L SAM and L SAM II, though these were not part of the Norwegian competition.
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