Why SM Vexel’s Lithium Ampule Batteries are Game-Changers for K-239 Cheonmu Rocket Systems

SM Bexel’s battery division has successfully delivered lithium ampule batteries for defense applications to Korea Defense Industry (KDI). The image shows the firing of 230mm unguided rockets from the K239 Chunmoo, South Korea’s Multiple Launch Rocket System. Image courtesy of SM Group

SM Bexel, a manufacturing and services subsidiary of SM Group, announced on February 10 that it has successfully supplied lithium ampule batteries for the 230mm unguided rockets used in the K239 Chunmoo, a key weapon system in South Korea’s defense arsenal, to defense contractor Korea Defense Industry (KDI).

The Chunmoo serves as a cornerstone of South Korea’s “Three-Axis System,” which emphasizes preemptive strike, active defense, and retaliation capabilities. With its formidable firepower, extended range, and high precision, the system is designed to neutralize enemy provocations, including long-range artillery threats.

On February 2, the Chunmoo system secured a $922 million (approximately 1 trillion 300 billion KRW) contract with Norway’s Defense Material Agency (NDMA) for their next-generation long-range precision fire system project. This victory came at the expense of competitors such as Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS from the United States and KNDS’s EURO-PULS from Europe. The lithium ampule batteries integrated into Chunmoo’s unguided rockets are ultra-compact primary cells, measuring just 5mm. These batteries are crucial for activating self-destruction mechanisms within the rockets in the event of a misfire, significantly enhancing the safety and operational effectiveness of South Korean military hardware. By successfully executing this initial project, SM Bexel’s battery division has not only contributed to the reliable operation of the Chunmoo system but also reaffirmed its technological expertise and production capacity in the defense battery sector.

By Kang Gu-gwi, Military Affairs Correspondent