Hanwha Aerospace plans to secure six types of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) ranging from small to large by 2030. The company will also transition existing weapon systems, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, into AI-based manned-unmanned hybrid combat systems.
On September 17, Hanwha Aerospace unveiled its roadmap for ground defense unmanned systems along with plans to establish a production system for the multipurpose unmanned vehicle, Arion Smet.
Arion Smet is an unmanned ground system that recently signed a mass production contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on September 4. It will be supplied sequentially to infantry units of the Army and Marine Corps starting next year.
Production will take place at the Changwon facility. Hanwha Aerospace has established a production system with over 40 partner companies supplying key components such as structures, batteries, navigation systems, and LiDAR. The domestic production rate of the vehicle has been raised to over 98% through the localization of major parts.
Beginning with the mass production of Arion Smet, Hanwha Aerospace aims to secure six common UGV platforms by 2030. This includes multipurpose unmanned vehicles under 10 tons, medium-sized tracked robotic combat vehicles (T-RCV) under 20 tons, and large unmanned combat vehicles (H-UGV) around 30 tons.
The company is also leading the unmanned transition of manned weapon systems. The goal is to develop technology that allows the K9, Chunmoo, and next-generation infantry fighting vehicles to be operated in both manned and unmanned modes by 2029. Plans are in place to apply hybrid technology to 120mm self-propelled mortars, Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicles (KAAV), and combat engineer vehicles (K-CEV).
Kim Dong-hyun, head of the LS division at Hanwha Aerospace, stated, "We will actively support the stable supply of unmanned vehicles needed by the Republic of Korea's military and allied nations, and work to secure defense unmanned system technology in preparation for future battlefields."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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