Domestic Landmine Detector That Can Detect 'Mokham Landmines' Begins Military Deployment

Defense Acquisition Program Administration "High Performance and Affordable... Bright Export Prospects"

A scene of landmine detection practice Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] A new type of landmine detector developed with domestic technology has begun to be deployed in the military. It detects not only metal mines but also wooden box mines.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on the 30th that the deployment of the new landmine detector PRS-20K has started.

According to DAPA, the existing landmine detector (PRS-17K) introduced in the late 1990s had limitations in detecting non-metallic mines such as wooden box mines. However, the new model applies ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology, enabling it to detect both metal and non-metal mines.

The PRS-20K landmine detector began exploration and development in 2015 and was completed in 2020 using purely domestic technology. Last year, a mass production contract was signed with the system development company Hanwha Systems, and quality tests and field operation tests have also been completed.

New type mine detector PRS-20K developed with domestic technology [Photo by Defense Acquisition Program Administration]

The military plans to sequentially equip the new landmine detector starting with the Army, followed by the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

In particular, the new landmine detector has superior performance compared to overseas equipment and is inexpensive, making its export prospects bright.

Cho Hyun-gi, Director of the Mobile Business Division at DAPA (Army Brigadier General), said, "The new landmine detector (PRS-20K) can be deployed immediately upon delivery, making it effectively usable in mine detection and removal, as well as in the excavation of hazardous materials in the Demilitarized Zone during both wartime and peacetime operations. We expect it to contribute to the promotion of the defense industry as a world-class landmine detector with export competitiveness."