S. Korea’s Hanwha to Supply Homegrown Bomb Disposal Robots for Military in Late 2025
The Republic of Korea Armed Forces will begin receiving locally developed bomb disposal robots from Hanwha Aerospace later this year, a move aimed at boosting troop safety and operational efficiency.
The 270-billion-won ($192.8 million) project covers specialized explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) tactical robots that will be rolled out across the armed forces by the end of 2027.
The robots are designed not only to detect and defuse explosives but also to conduct surveillance in high-risk zones, clear routes in the demilitarized zone, and search underground facilities, local media reported.
“When the homegrown EOD robots are deployed to military units, they will not only enhance the military’s operational capabilities, but more effectively ensure the safety of troops,” a Defense Acquisition Program Administration official said.
Advanced Features and Development History
Details shared by South Korean sources earlier this month highlighted how the new robots will transition the way troops face explosive threats. Each machine can remotely detect and clear landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), keeping soldiers out of immediate danger.
The modular machines can be equipped with mission-specific tools, including a robotic arm, 360-degree camera, X-ray scanner, mine detector, recoilless water gun, shotgun, cable cutter, and window breaker.
Until now, South Korean troops have often entered minefields and IED sites directly, with only limited use of imported clearance robots.
That changed in 2017, when the East Asian government partnered with Hanwha to build a homegrown system. Development wrapped up in 2023, opening the door for mass production and deployment.
“We will not only strengthen South Korea’s national defense capabilities, but also actively seek to enter overseas markets in the future,” a Hanwha Aerospace official said during the initiative’s announcement.
