Seoul: The defense acquisition agency has finalized a significant agreement with LIG Nex1 Co. to develop homegrown underwater mine-detection and removal systems for Navy minesweepers currently being developed. This deal, valued at 171.8 billion won (US$122.4 million), marks a strategic move to localize two essential mine combat systems, specifically the variable depth sonar (VDS) and the combined influence mine sweeping system (CIS), as stated by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea has previously depended on foreign technology for these critical systems. The VDS is designed to detect sea mines even in challenging seafloor topographies by emitting sound waves from a warship, which facilitates the early detection of hidden mines. The CIS, on the other hand, can simulate the characteristics of a warship, such as sound or changes in water pressure, to prematurely trigger sea mines, based on the information from DAPA.

The integration of these systems onto the minesweepers will allow the Navy to achieve complete domestic capabilities in sea mine combat operations, including searching, detecting, and removing mines. Officials emphasized that by localizing these key systems, the country aims to address the dependency on overseas technology and parts, while simultaneously improving operational reliability through better integration of ships and equipment.