Hanwha Aerospace’s new Unmanned Rocket Launcher and Naval MLRS

At MADEX 2025, Hanwha Aerospace unveiled a new Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) designed for naval vessels. The company also re-introduced the Unmanned Amphibious Rocket Launcher (UARL) or Unmanned MRL, which was previously unveiled at KADEX 2024.

Hanwha Aerospace is moving to the next stage following the K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery.

The Unmanned Amphibious Rocket Launcher features reduced operating manpower compared to the K239, an advanced launcher module drive system, and the ability to operate all CTM series tactical missiles. UARL is said to be under development to drastically reduce the number of operating personnel required for the K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery, while changing the hydropneumatically driven K239 rocket launcher module to an electric drive, enabling almost instantaneous launch and firing of rockets and missiles.

The K239, which is currently being exported to several countries including Poland, is a 2.0 version that can operate a pod that has been modified to operate the CTM series tactical missiles, and this UARL also mainly operates the CTM series missiles, the person in charge said. (The 1.0 can only operate up to the CGR-080.)

In addition, the CTM-MR (CTM-160) missile, which is the tactical missile that UARL will mainly operate, is said to be almost developed and will undergo an actual firing test this year, and the ASBM (anti-ship ballistic missile), which is a modified version of the CTM-MR, is also said to be close to development completion.

The CTM-X, which has a range of about 500 km, is also under development, and the plan is to secure a range of about 500 km by reducing the warhead weight of the CTM-290 tactical missile, and it was said that both the CTM-290 and CTM-X can be operated by UARL.

However, originally, South Korea was planning to develop UARL after K239 rocket artillery and operate it together, but it was decided to develop HPRS together, which is a similar concept to the US HIMARS. HPRS (High-Performance Launch Rocket System) is being developed as part of the development of a comprehensive package weapon system called ‘High-Performance MRLS’. UARL development is scheduled to be completed in the early 2030ies, and HPRS development is scheduled to be completed in the late 2020ies.

Naval MRLS

According to Hanwha, the dual-rocket pod platform (It is said that the number of pods can vary) derived from the UARL / HPRS rocket launcher pod can be integrated into the unmanned naval platforms proposed by Hanwha Ocean to the ROK Navy.

In particular, Hanwha Aerospace said at MADEX 2025 that if ASBM missiles capable of striking ships are integrated into this Naval Multiple-Rocket Launcher System and placed on various types of surface ships, immediate anti-ship missions utilizing the characteristics of ASBMs are possible.