KADEX 2024: South Korea to acquire loitering munitions from WB Group

South Korea is procuring more than 100 Warmate-3 loitering munitions (pictured) from Poland's WB Group. (Janes/Oishee Majumdar)

Poland's WB Group has secured a contract from South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to deliver its loitering munitions to the Republic of Korea (RoK) Armed Forces.

Speaking to Janes at the Korea Army International Defense Industry Exhibition (KADEX) 2024 held at Gyeryongdae from 2 to 6 October, John Bason, adviser to WB Group, said the company will supply its Warmate-3 loitering munitions to the RoK Armed Forces.

WB Group expects to start and complete the deliveries of Warmate-3 in 2025, Bason said, declining to comment on the value of the contract.

DAPA is acquiring more than 100 Warmate-3 loitering munitions from WB Group.

According to company specifications, Warmate-3 has a wingspan of 1.6 m, an operational range of 30 km, an operational speed of 80 km/h, and an operating ceiling of 3,000 m above mean sea level (AMSL).

Warmate-3 has a maximum endurance of 1 h and can be equipped with high-explosive or thermobaric warheads to attack targets.

Bason said the RoK Armed Forces can deploy Warmate-3 loitering munitions individually or in swarms. Ten Warmate-3 loitering munitions can be simultaneously deployed against a target using one controller, he added.

“These loitering munitions can also be integrated into artillery systems giving commanders the option to either use conventional artillery or Warmate-3 loitering munitions or a mix of both against designated targets,” Bason said.