"Let’s create premium products with dedication and spirit."
During a visit to Hanwha Aerospace's Changwon Plant 2 in Gyeongnam on September 14, assembly work was bustling under this motto. Contrary to expectations of noise in a factory producing heavy military equipment, the interior was surprisingly comfortable. While the outside temperature hovered around 30 degrees Celsius, the indoor air was cool.
The desert-colored equipment scattered throughout the factory showcased the export status of South Korea's defense industry reaching the Middle East. A Hanwha Aerospace official explained, "There is high demand for anti-aircraft weapons, and we receive visits from Middle Eastern countries about once a month."
The atmosphere in the production area shifted during the equipment demonstration. Representative vehicles such as the Tigon, Cheonmu, and K21 infantry fighting vehicle roared to life. Among them, a relatively smaller unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) caught attention. The Themis, Arion Smet, and Grunt moved according to remote control, illustrating how unmanned systems are taking over the roles previously performed by soldiers.
At the center of the demonstration was the multipurpose unmanned vehicle Arion Smet. Its design resembled a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle (ATV), but its mission extends beyond mere transportation. It serves as an unmanned support vehicle for infantry units, transporting supplies and evacuating the wounded while also providing combat support when necessary.
According to Hanwha Aerospace, the third-generation Arion Smet being introduced to the military has a payload capacity of approximately 450 kg. This means it can carry ammunition and supplies that soldiers would otherwise have to transport themselves. In a situation where troop numbers are decreasing, its key role is to reduce the personnel involved in logistics and transportation, allowing soldiers to focus on combat missions.
The operational method is also designed to alleviate soldiers' burdens. It features an automatic following function that allows it to trail behind a leading soldier and can autonomously transport supplies to designated locations. This reduces the burden on the operator, who would otherwise have to control the vehicle throughout its route. Utilizing it for transporting ammunition and supplies in mountainous terrain or evacuating the wounded during combat can help minimize troop fatigue and exposure to danger.
The design for off-road movement is also notable. The Arion Smet is equipped with airless tires, which Hanwha Aerospace claims reduce the risk of punctures from gunfire and enhance traction on rough terrain compared to traditional air-filled tires. It can handle inclines of up to 60% and can maneuver in tight spaces, which is essential for supporting infantry in mountainous and unpaved areas.
Another distinguishing feature is that it is not limited to transport duties. It is equipped with AI-based remote fire control capabilities, allowing it to support combat missions. During the demonstration, the vehicle was seen tracking targets even while in motion. Hanwha Aerospace explained that the AI can automatically track targets in a 360-degree radius. This means that an unmanned vehicle that transports supplies can also support soldiers in combat situations.
The Themis, which was also showcased, is distinguished from the Arion Smet by its tracked design. It has a structure that allows mission equipment to be mounted between its left and right tracks, and its modular design makes it easy to change equipment based on mission requirements. If the same chassis can accommodate different equipment, it can expand operational capabilities to meet the needs of the unit.
The concept of unmanned vehicles taking on soldiers' tasks is becoming a reality in military adoption. On September 17, Hanwha Aerospace unveiled its production system establishment and operational plans for the Arion Smet, along with a roadmap for unmanned ground systems in defense. The Arion Smet signed a mass production contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on September 4 and is set to be supplied to the Army and Marine Corps infantry units sequentially starting next year.
The Changwon Plant 2, which will handle mass production, was established in 1984 and spans approximately 60,000 pyeong, producing everything from K200 and K21 mobility equipment to Cheonmu and Cheongung II launchers. This marks the beginning of mass production for the military's first multipurpose unmanned vehicle at a facility that previously focused on traditional weapon systems.
A supply chain to support operations after military adoption has also been established. Hanwha Aerospace has formed a cooperative system with over 40 partner companies supplying structures, batteries, navigation devices, LiDAR, and remote control components. The company reports that the domestic production rate of the Arion Smet is over 98%. By sourcing major components domestically, it aims to respond quickly to subsequent military support and maintenance needs.
The value of unmanned systems in responding to reduced troop numbers cannot be measured solely by how many soldiers can be replaced by a single vehicle. It is significant in conserving the stamina of soldiers transporting ammunition, reducing the number of personnel entering dangerous areas, and enabling a limited number of troops to carry out more missions.
The UGVs in motion at the Changwon plant illustrate the starting point of this transformation. The next goal presented by Hanwha Aerospace is to change the combat methods of artillery and mechanized units, beginning with small vehicles that follow soldiers and carry supplies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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