Seoul: Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace Co. announced on Monday that it has secured a 270 billion-won (US$194.1 million) contract with the state arms procurement agency to commence the mass production of explosive detection robots within the year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the agreement with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) involves the production of remote-controlled robots designed to detect and neutralize mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The robots are equipped with advanced detection sensors and robotic arms capable of handling explosives from various angles. They can also be outfitted with several tools, including an X-ray fluoroscope, a shotgun, and a cable cutter.
This contract builds upon a 2017 collaboration between DAPA and Hanwha Aerospace aimed at minimizing human casualties in detection operations and bolstering defense capabilities. It signifies the first deployment of domestically developed military robots in South Korea and marks Hanwha Aerospace's initial foray into the mass production of a military robotics system.
A representative from Hanwha Aerospace emphasized the company's commitment to enhancing South Korea's defense capabilities, stating, "We will contribute to strengthening Korea's defense capabilities by leveraging our technology in multipurpose unmanned vehicles in cooperation with the government."