Although Croatia had previously planned to acquire U.S.-made M142 HIMARS systems, the country now intends to order South Korean K239 Chunmoo launchers. One of the reasons cited for the change is particularly interesting: current U.S. restrictions on the export of ballistic missiles with ranges of 300 and 500 kilometers.
According to Jutarnji list, Croatia plans to procure 18 self-propelled launchers and associated equipment for €435.2 million. The package will also include an undisclosed number of munitions, with the missiles reportedly offering ranges from 30 kilometers to more than 300 kilometers.
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Around 85% of the contracted systems are expected to be delivered in 2028, while payments will be made between 2026 and 2029. Contracts are expected to be signed both with the system’s manufacturer, South Korean Hanwha Aerospace, and Poland's WB Group, which will integrate its Topaz command-and-control system.
Croatia is acquiring the precision-guided multiple launch rocket system in response to Serbia's rearmament. Belgrade has ordered and received Israeli PULS systems along with 300-km-range missiles. Croatia initially focused on HIMARS equipped with GMLRS rockets, for which the United States had approved a potential sale. However, that configuration offers a maximum range of around 80 kilometers.
According to Jutarnji list, the United States has suspended deliveries of 300-km-range missiles to allies due to its own military requirements, while the export of 500-km-range missiles remains prohibited. Croatia has therefore shifted toward the South Korean K239 Chunmoo, following the example of Poland, Norway and Estonia.
Other factors cited include faster deliveries, a favorable price, an unrestricted supply of missiles across different ranges, and the ability to carry twice as many missiles on a single launcher. Diversifying Croatia's weapons inventory is another consideration, reducing its reliance on the United States as a sole supplier.
Defense Express would note that this is a good example of how U.S. restrictions on the export of certain types of munitions can push allies toward alternative systems. This is reinforced by the highly competitive terms South Korean defense manufacturers are offering European customers.
As for the 300-km-range missiles, they almost certainly refer to ATACMS, while the 500-km category concerns the newer Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). U.S. stocks of these weapons have been significantly depleted, including as a result of their extensive use on the battlefield and the transition from ATACMS production to PrSM.
The White House has already sought to reassure allies that munitions deliveries will resume once U.S. stockpiles are replenished. However, as this case demonstrates, not every NATO country is prepared to wait. This is particularly true when K239 Chunmoo systems are already being localized in Europe and a missile production facility for the system is being built in Poland.
Croatia currently operates only Yugoslav and Romanian variants of the Soviet-designed 122-mm BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher. With specialized rockets, these systems have a maximum range of around 40 kilometers.
The arrival of a system capable of striking targets more than 300 kilometers away would therefore represent a major boost to Croatia's long-range strike capabilities. Most likely, the missile in question is the CTM-290, whose export version is advertised with a range of more than 300 kilometers.
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