Army Conducts International Training on K-Defense Systems with Participation from Polish Forces

First Cheonmu Training Program Launched

The Army is currently conducting the "Army International Program," which provides training on the operation of K-defense systems to military personnel from major overseas defense industry partner countries.

According to the Army on May 22, the Army International Program has been underway since May 15 for a two-week period at the Cheonmu Training Battalion of the Firepower Brigade in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. For the first time in the history of the program, Cheonmu training has been introduced and is currently being conducted.

The Cheonmu training was established in response to the successful results of last year's inaugural international program and requests from partner countries who wished to receive training on a broader range of K-defense systems. A total of 32 trainees are participating in the program, including 16 Polish military personnel and 16 Korean officers and non-commissioned officers. Poland, which operates the HOMAR-K, the Polish export version of the Cheonmu, is one of the countries most interested in the Cheonmu system.

The Cheonmu International Program began on May 15 with a welcoming ceremony hosted by Major General Cho Jongrae, Director of Information and Operations at Army Headquarters. The program consists of visits to defense companies, step-by-step tours of maintenance units (including the General Maintenance Depot and the 1st Logistics Support Brigade), and Cheonmu training. The Cheonmu training focuses on enhancing practical operational capabilities through both theoretical instruction and hands-on exercises.

The Polish trainees have been diligently reviewing the material and actively asking questions to deepen their understanding, while the Korean trainees are strengthening their foreign language communication skills and broadening their international perspectives through one-on-one exchanges with their Polish counterparts. To maximize the effectiveness of the training, the Army has translated the Cheonmu training materials into English for distribution, installed simultaneous interpretation booths, and assigned interpreters to provide real-time English interpretation support.

General Go Changjun, Acting Chief of Staff of the Army, told the Polish trainees, "This international program is an excellent example of how military cooperation and friendship between Korea and Poland can be greatly enhanced. As the best instructors in Korea have carefully prepared this training, I hope you will successfully complete the remaining courses, learn and experience as much as possible, and also use this valuable time to build friendships with your Korean counterparts through the one-on-one matching program."

Major Tomasz Kuczynski of the Polish Army, who is participating in the program, said, "In Poland, I was able to experience the powerful firepower and rapid mobility of the Cheonmu system, and it is very meaningful to receive Cheonmu training in Korea. Observing the automated firing system and the proficiency of the operators, I was able to see the excellence of the Cheonmu system and the outstanding training system of the Korean Army."

The Army plans to continue providing customized training for major defense industry partner countries that have purchased K-defense systems such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the K2 tank through future international programs. Through these efforts, the Army aims not only to increase the satisfaction of purchasing countries, but also to strengthen military diplomacy with these nations.

Meanwhile, the Army plans to offer additional international programs in July and October.