South Korea's Navy on Monday, 3 August conducted its first-ever mine-sweeping exercise powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned vessels, marking a significant step in the country's push to modernise its maritime combat capabilities. The trial was held at a naval base in the southeastern port city of Busan and was jointly led by South Korean defence company Hanwha Systems.

How the Trial Was Conducted

The exercise involved the 730-ton Ongjin minesweeper, spy drones, two unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and one autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) — all developed or deployed by Hanwha. The hypothetical scenario assumed that Busan port had been blockaded by enemy mines, testing the Navy's ability to detect and neutralise the threat under realistic operational conditions.

Central to the mission was an 'AI staff officer' system, which analysed real-time weather and sea current data to advise the human commander aboard the Ongjin and guide the unmanned vessels simultaneously. Based on the AI system's assessments, the manned and unmanned ships established coordinated search zones to locate simulated sea mines, while spy drones monitored the broader operational environment around the port.

Limitations and Future Upgrades

Notably, Hanwha's USVs are not currently equipped with active minesweeping capabilities. During this trial, they operated in a simulated minesweeping role, as the Navy confirmed the vessels are expected to receive mine-clearing upgrades in the future. This makes the exercise as much a proof-of-concept for the command-and-control architecture as it is a test of the hardware itself.

The Navy said the trial demonstrated that combining AI-supported mission direction with integrated manned and unmanned operations will be effective for future naval engagements — a doctrine increasingly adopted by major navies worldwide.

Broader Defence Context: KDDX Destroyer Programme

The mine-sweeping trial comes alongside a separate but related milestone in South Korea's naval build-up. Earlier in July, the country's state arms procurement agency, the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), formally concluded a deal with Hanwha Ocean Co. to begin development of a next-generation Navy destroyer under the Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) programme. The lead ship is targeted for delivery to the Navy by 2032.

The DAPA-Hanwha Ocean agreement covers detailed planning and construction of the KDDX lead ship, signalling a sustained, multi-year investment in South Korea's blue-water naval ambitions. Together, the AI mine-sweeping trial and the KDDX contract reflect a deliberate strategic shift toward autonomous, technology-driven warfare at sea.

What This Signals for Regional Naval Dynamics

South Korea's accelerated naval modernisation comes amid heightened maritime tensions across the Indo-Pacific. The integration of AI command systems into live naval exercises — rather than purely simulated lab environments — is a relatively rare operational milestone globally. Analysts note that autonomous mine-clearance is one of the most dangerous and resource-intensive naval tasks, making AI-guided unmanned solutions particularly high-value. With Hanwha Systems at the centre of both the AI minesweeper programme and the KDDX destroyer deal, the conglomerate is emerging as the primary architect of South Korea's next-generation naval fleet.