Hanwha Aerospace to Supply Multi-Purpose Unmanned Vehicles to South Korean Military

Hanwha Aerospace has secured a significant contract to supply multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to the South Korean military, triumphing over competitor Hyundai Rotem. The company's 'Arion-SMET' model emerged victorious after rigorous evaluation tests, surpassing Hyundai Rotem's 'HR-Sherpa' in performance.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) officially notified Hanwha Aerospace of its selection as the prime contractor for the military's multi-purpose UGV program. This decision followed a review and resolution by the Defense Program Promotion Committee, with Hanwha receiving the official notification on July 28.

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As we have been entrusted with the project to equip the Republic of Korea Army with future-type unmanned ground vehicles, we will proceed with the project with a sense of responsibility.

The multi-purpose UGV is designed for missions in hazardous areas inaccessible to combat personnel. Its capabilities include surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics transport, and evacuation of wounded soldiers. The vehicle can operate via remote control, autonomous driving, or by following a lead unit, thereby reducing the burden and risk for human soldiers. It is considered a key component of the Army's future ground combat system, "Army Tiger 4.0," which aims to network soldiers with unmanned and manned combat systems.

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We will complete the unmanned/manned combined system portfolio by integrating it with existing weapon systems such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer and infantry fighting vehicles.

Hanwha Aerospace's 'Arion-SMET' is a versatile platform capable of mounting various equipment such as surveillance gear and cargo systems, adapting to different battlefield needs. This contract expands Hanwha's portfolio in unmanned ground systems, which already includes unmanned reconnaissance vehicles, explosive ordnance disposal robots, and unmanned/manned chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear reconnaissance vehicles.

Hanwha Aerospace plans to finalize the mass production contract with DAPA as early as August. Following the contract signing, the vehicles will undergo production and be sequentially deployed to the Army. Hanwha Aerospace officials expressed a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the project, aiming to complete the unmanned/manned combined system portfolio by integrating UGVs with existing platforms like the K9 self-propelled howitzer and infantry fighting vehicles.

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We will minimize the power vacuum by proceeding with the mass production process quickly.