Mass Production of Domestic Defense Robots Begins
Aiming to Minimize Human Casualties and Address Military Recruitment Shortages
Hanwha Aerospace Signs 270 Billion Won Contract for Explosive Detection and Disposal Robots
Hanwha Aerospace is set to begin mass production of a defense robot system for the first time in South Korea. By deploying robots for dangerous missions, the company aims to minimize human casualties and address the issue of a shortage of military recruits.
On September 8, Hanwha Aerospace announced that it had signed a mass production contract worth approximately 270 billion won with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration for its "explosive detection and disposal robot." The robot performs tasks such as remotely detecting landmines and detecting and removing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This marks the first time that domestically produced defense robots will be deployed as part of the South Korean military's operational forces.
The explosive detection and disposal robot, which will enter mass production this year, can be equipped with different modules tailored to a variety of operational scenarios. Its standard features include a manipulator arm and surveillance equipment, allowing it to handle hazardous materials from all 360-degree directions. Depending on mission requirements, it can also be fitted with an X-ray scanner, mine detector, recoilless water cannon, shotgun, cable cutter, and glass breaker.
Until now, landmine detection required soldiers to manually use mine detectors, and disposal teams had to be deployed to remove improvised explosive devices. Although some foreign-made robots have been used, their numbers remain limited. Taking into account the increasing automation of battlefields and advancements in technology, the government and Hanwha Aerospace began exploratory development of the explosive detection and disposal robot in 2017 and completed system development in 2023.
A representative from Hanwha Aerospace stated, "This achievement is the result of consolidating our diverse unmanned technology capabilities, which we have accumulated through multipurpose unmanned vehicles, in collaboration with the government. We will actively pursue not only the strengthening of South Korea's defense capabilities but also future expansion into overseas markets."
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