Hanwha Systems to develop swift, accurate mine detection tech

South Korea's Hanwha Systems Co. is set to embark on the development of a mine detection system using big data and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

The company announced on Friday that it has signed a "swift pilot project agreement for AI-based automatic mine detection system using big data," worth 28 billion won ($21.6 million), with the Defense Rapid Acquisition Technology Research Institute.

Under the terms of this agreement, Hanwha Systems will supply Republic of Korea Navy with an "automatic mine detection system for naval recognition" and an "automatic mine detection system for land training" after two years of research and development (R&D) and about six months of military trial operations.

Mines, often referred to as underwater mines, are becoming a threatening factor to naval and merchant ships due to their complexity and diverse marine environments, making detection more challenging than land mines.

Hanwha Systems plans to utilize various big data, including underwater environments and mines, constructed through the latest AI deep learning algorithms to establish a rapid and accurate mine detection system. This system will include strategies for removal and avoidance, which will be provided to the Navy.

"Through this project, we hope that advanced civilian technology will be rapidly introduced into the Navy, advancing the establishment of key capabilities for the future Navy, such as unmanned surface vehicles, maritime drones and underwater robots," said Jang Hee-seon, Director of the Rapid Pilot Project Division at the Defense Rapid Acquisition Technology Research Institute.

"We will strive to enhance key technologies related to maritime unmanned systems and establish a competitive edge in price, making efforts to explore export channels," commented Park Do-hyun, Head of the Command and Control Business Division at Hanwha Systems.

Write to Mi-Sun Kang at misunny@hankyung.com