South Korea’s Hanwha to Develop Mine Warfare Combat System

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a contract with Hanwha Systems on November 22 to develop a mine warfare combat system, the agency announced today.

The contract with Hanwha Systems marks the first domestic development of a mine warfare combat system in South Korea.

The system, to be installed on the next-generation minesweeper (MSH-II) slated for deployment in 2029, is designed to improve mine detection, identification, and clearance operations for the Republic of Korea Navy.

The mine warfare combat system will act as the central processing unit of the minesweeper, integrating data from sensors such as sonar and radar while controlling armaments. Unlike current minesweepers, which rely on basic information processing tools, the new system will coordinate approximately 20 onboard technologies, including mine-hunting sonar and automated weaponry.

The system will use artificial intelligence (AI) and big data for automatic mine detection. By analyzing existing mine data, the AI technology will identify underwater objects in real time, distinguishing mines from other items. Additionally, the system will enable safe and efficient operations by automating unmanned mine removal equipment and coordinating mine warfare unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).