Estonia has reached an agreement with South Korea on a potential purchase of K239 Chunmoo MLRS. This is notable because Estonia already ordered U.S. M142 HIMARS broadly comparable systems but the interest may stem from insufficient delivery rates.
According to The Korea Times, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the defence ministers of both countries during a meeting in Seoul. No further details on contract volume, price or delivery timelines have been released.
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The report also notes Estonian interest in AS21 (K21) Redback infantry fighting vehicles. That aligns with Tallinn's previously stated plans to replace CV90 IFVs, which it bought used in 2014 and which are approaching the end of their service life.
From Defense Express's perspective, Estonia's interest in South Korean kit is not surprising: the country already operates 155 mm K9 SPHs. South Korea's defence industry has also shown the ability to deliver equipment at scale and on relatively short schedules.
On the other hand, Estonia has already bought U.S. M142 HIMARS, which have broadly similar capabilities. Details of a previously reported $200 million contract are not public, but the export approval covered up to six launchers, 18 ATACMS rockets, 36 GMLRS packs (6 rockets each) and 72 ER GMLRS packs at a not-to-exceed price of $500 million.
It's worth noting that although the order was placed in 2022, the first systems only arrived this year, in 2025. Back in February, Estonia's defence minister Hanno Pevkur publicly expressed frustration with those delivery timelines and raised the possibility of choosing an alternative.
Recently, there were reports that Tallinn wants to buy additional HIMARS and associated munitions worth $4.73 billion. That deal has not been signed yet, so Chunmoo could still be selected instead.
South Koreas defence industry can manufacture the requested systems quickly, and Poland is currently working to localize production of K239 ammunition which would provide local rounds supply though that effort is not yet finalised due to lack of funding from Warsaw.
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