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| ▲ This photo provided by Hanwha Aerospace Co. shows an explosive detection robot. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Hanwha Aerospace-bomb detection robot
Hanwha Aerospace inks 270 bln-won deal with arms procurement agency for bomb detection robot
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace Co. said Monday it has signed a 270 billion-won (US$194.1 million) deal with the state arms procurement agency to mass produce explosive detection robots starting this year.
Under the agreement with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the remote-controlled robots will be capable of detecting and removing mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to the company.
Each unit is equipped with detection sensors and robotic arms that can handle explosives from multiple angles, and can be fitted with various tools, including an X-ray fluoroscope, a shotgun and a cable cutter.
The agreement builds on a 2017 DAPA-Hanwha Aerospace project aimed at reducing human casualties during detection operations and enhancing defense capabilities.
It marks the first deployment of homegrown military robots in South Korea and Hanwha Aerospace's first mass production of a military robotics system, the company said.
"We will contribute to strengthening Korea's defense capabilities by leveraging our technology in multipurpose unmanned vehicles in cooperation with the government," a Hanwha Aerospace official said.
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