South Korea's military to develop mine detection robots in 2017
Starting in 2017, the South Korean military plan to develop robots that can detect and remove mine in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). The military plans to build 170 robots that can be put into operation by 2020, the budget for this project is estimated to be less than $431m. In addition, the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has said the military will also develop 100 unmanned vehicles for DMZ search operations in 2017. 

By Kang Seung-woo

The military will develop robots to detect and remove mines in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

"We will embark on the development project from 2017," a military official said Thursday. "The demining robots will be used in rear-areas operations, including handling explosives as well as removing landmines buried in the DMZ."

About 170 robots will be put into operation in the early 2020s, and the budget for the development is estimated to be less than 500 billion won ($431 million).

The project comes after two South Korean soldiers patrolling the DMZ were severely wounded by a North Korean landmine attack on Aug. 4 that pushed South and North Korea to the brink of a military confrontation across the border.

Meanwhile, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said Wednesday the military will develop 100 unmanned vehicles for DMZ search operations.











