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Hanwha to Field Unmanned Ground Vehicles by 2030

September 17, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Hanwha Aerospace to field 6 UGV types by 2030.
K9 and Chunmoo to be converted to AI-enabled systems.
Arion-SMET production to begin next year.
Global market for UGVs could reach multi-trillion won range.

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Strategic Implications

Hanwha's push into unmanned systems may indicate a shift in South Korea's defense strategy, with potential implications for global export competitiveness. The development of AI-enabled combat platforms could suggest a growing focus on autonomous technologies in modern warfare, which may benefit Hanwha's position in the defense industry.

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What Happened

South Korean Defense Giant Expands AI-Enabled Combat Platforms

Hanwha Aerospace is developing technology to convert existing manned weapons systems into AI-enabled unmanned combat platforms, with plans to field six types of unmanned ground vehicles by 2030. The company has signed a mass-production contract for the Arion-SMET, which will be delivered to the South Korean Army and Marine Corps starting next year. Hanwha Aerospace is also working on converting the K9 and Chunmoo to AI-enabled systems, with a target completion date of 2029. This development was reported by The Herald Business.

Source | Originally Published: September 17, 2026

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