[Militech] Hanwha Systems Sets Sights on Dominating the $6.2 Billion Unmanned Vessel Market

Prototype Development of 30-Ton USVs
Diverse Lineup Ranges from Loitering USVs to Mine Clearance

Hanwha has thrown its hat into the unmanned surface vessel (USV) market, driven by the sector's growing size. According to market research firm Market Research Future, the global USV market is expected to more than double, reaching $6.2 billion (about KRW 868 billion) by 2034, up from $2.6 billion (about KRW 364 billion) in 2024.

The growth of the USV market is due to its proven capabilities in actual combat. Ukraine has equipped USVs with short-range missiles to confront the Russian Black Sea Fleet. For Ukraine, which has virtually no naval power, USVs have emerged as a "game changer" that could alter the course of the war. In addition to naval drones, the Ukrainian military has reportedly developed and is testing an unmanned underwater vehicle called "Marichka," which can stealthily approach targets underwater and attack. China is taking similar steps, having already deployed the Orca (JARI-USV) unmanned surface vessel. Recently, China conducted a swarm unmanned underwater operation, deploying 80 small unmanned surface vessels, each about 1.6 meters long, simultaneously along its southern coast—an exercise designed with a hypothetical Taiwan Strait crisis in mind.

Countries unable to develop USVs independently are turning to domestic defense companies. Last year, Greece attended a demonstration of Hanwha Systems' USV. Geopolitically, Greece has more than 6,000 islands and a complex coastline. While the country faces challenges from refugees crossing from North Africa and maritime disputes with its rival Türkiye, it suffers from a severe manpower shortage. More recently, Australia, Poland, and Estonia have also made inquiries.

Hanwha is accelerating next-generation technology development to capture the USV market. Hanwha Defense USA, Hanwha's U.S. defense subsidiary, entered into a strategic partnership last month with Magnet Defense, a company specializing in autonomous navigation. Hanwha Defense USA and Magnet Defense plan to produce the "H38," a 38-meter medium-sized USV for delivery to the U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon). The H38 is expected to combine Hanwha's technology with Magnet Defense's flagship "M48" model. The M48 currently boasts the longest operational range among USVs at sea, with a range of 17,000 nautical miles (approximately 31,484 km).

Hanwha Systems is already building a prototype vessel. This 30-ton class USV is twice the size of the "Sea Ghost" (SEA GHOST, 14-ton class). It will be equipped with a 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) and a suicide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In addition, there is a docking-type autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle that can be launched from a submarine torpedo tube. A prototype anti-submarine reconnaissance unmanned underwater vehicle, capable of remaining underwater for over 30 days, has already been produced. For the first time, a fuel cell has been installed to improve submerged efficiency. At only 7 meters in length, it is virtually impossible for enemy submarines to detect. Hanwha is also developing suicide-type USVs. The military is reportedly set to introduce these through the "Rapid Demonstration Acquisition Project" in the near future.

An automatic mine detection system is also under development. Naval mines are explosive devices placed at sea or on the seabed to block the movement of enemy ships. Because they are difficult to detect and can inflict damage on the most vulnerable parts of ships, they are deadly in times of conflict. During the Incheon Landing Operation in the Korean War, North Korean mines posed the greatest obstacle, and the "mine explosion theory" was raised in the 2010 sinking of the Cheonan warship. In a recent South Korea-U.S. mine detection drill, Hanwha Systems' mine identification device was installed on a 730-ton South Korean minehunter, achieving a 100% detection rate. A Hanwha Systems representative stated, "Once the Sea Ghost USV project, which has proven its technology, is completed, we plan to enter overseas markets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.