South Korea's Navy announced on July 27 that it has completed its first underwater mine clearance exercise using artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned vessels, as the country accelerates the modernization of its maritime warfare capabilities.
According to military officials, the exercise took place in waters off Busan, South Korea's largest port city, involving an “AI officer” system and specialized unmanned vessels. The move is seen as a key step in the development of a smart naval force, reducing human risk in underwater mine disposal missions.
A Navy source said the AI system played a central role in processing data, detecting and identifying suspected mines, while coordinating the operation of unmanned vessels following predetermined scenarios. These vessels are equipped with advanced sensors and scanning devices, capable of operating independently or in groups.
Analysts say integrating AI into mine clearance operations not only improves speed and accuracy but also opens new possibilities for future unmanned fleets. The South Korean Navy plans to expand the scale of testing and evaluate the system's effectiveness before it is officially commissioned.
The move comes as regional countries increasingly focus on maritime security and advanced defense technology development to address complex security challenges at sea.
