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A signing ceremony for the Chunmoo export contract is held in Zagreb, Croatia, on Sept. 10 local time. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back is second from left in the back row, with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković third from left. / Defense Acquisition Program Administration

Hanwha Aerospace will export 18 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems worth 640 billion won to Croatia.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said on Sept. 10 local time that Hanwha Aerospace and the Croatian Ministry of Defense signed the export contract in Zagreb.

The Chunmoo deal is seen as significant because it marks the first large-scale defense cooperation project between South Korea and Croatia. A DAPA official said, “We expect this contract to serve as an opportunity to expand bilateral defense cooperation beyond exports of individual weapons systems into long-term and strategic cooperation, including industrial partnerships with local companies and follow-on logistics support.”

The South Korean government has actively promoted the strengths of its weapons systems through official events and high-level meetings in an effort to expand defense cooperation with Croatia. DAPA said the contract reflects recognition of the overall competitiveness of South Korea’s defense industry, including the quality and price competitiveness of its weapons systems.

DAPA Minister Lee Yong-cheol attended the Chunmoo contract signing ceremony together with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. The event was hosted by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and the participants discussed ways to further expand defense cooperation.

Ahn and Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić also signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation between the two countries’ defense ministries. The two sides had continued consultations since discussing a comprehensive defense cooperation MOU at a bilateral defense ministers’ meeting in September last year. The MOU establishes an institutional foundation for the systematic development of bilateral defense cooperation.

“We hope Chunmoo, one of South Korea’s representative weapons systems, will contribute to strengthening Croatia’s security and that cooperation with Croatia in the defense industry will continue to expand in both scope and areas as we are partner countries that share important values such as democracy and freedom,” Lee said.

“The Chunmoo contract with Croatia is the starting point for defense cooperation between South Korea and Croatia and an important opportunity to advance that cooperation in earnest,” Lee added. “The government will continue to work closely with the defense industry, further strengthen trust with Croatia and actively support the expansion of bilateral defense cooperation.”

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol