Defense companies accelerate developing systems integrating manned, unmanned weapons

Korean defense companies are advancing manned-and-unmanned teaming systems in response to changing warfare. Hyundai Rotem is developing a next-generation MUM-T tank with expanded sensors, AI-based command and fire control, and planned formation-level cooperation in the early to mid-2030s. KAI is developing connectivity linking fighter jets, helicopters and unmanned aircraft, while Hanwha Aerospace is advancing increasingly automated and autonomous K9 howitzers.

Hyundai Rotem completed development of the K2 tank in 2008 and is developing a next-generation MUM-T tank.

KAI has exported 236 aircraft worth approximately 12.4 trillion won and aims to export about 700 aircraft to 40 countries by 2030.

Hanwha Aerospace has exported more than 1,200 K9 howitzers to 11 countries and aims to expand its user base to 30 countries.

The K9A2 is expected to be completed this year with a fully automated turret and automated ammunition handling, reducing the required crew size to three or fewer.

The K9A3 is targeted for deployment in the mid-2030s, with an intended range of 80 kilometers and planned AI, autonomous-driving and unmanned-operation capabilities.

Published Oct 8, 2026 3:47 pm KST

Development required to meet changing nature of modern warfare

The Army’s Drone and Robot Tactical Demonstration Unit demonstrates tactics using drones and robots during its inauguration ceremony at Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 28. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Army

Korean defense companies are advancing manned-and-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) in response to the changing nature of modern warfare.

Recent wars have shown a shift toward using unmanned systems for high-risk operations, while manned systems take on command and control as well as precision strikes from the rear.

Hyundai Rotem, which led the modernization of Korea’s ground forces by completing the development of the K2 tank in 2008, is developing a next-generation MUM-T tank in line with this trend.

“We will expand battlefield situational awareness using various sensors and add artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to enable AI-based command and fire control. We aim to operate the tank through cooperation with manned and unmanned systems, as well as with units at the formation level,” Kim Myeong-geun, vice president at Hyundai Rotem, said during the 2026 KorAsia Forum, Wednesday. "The system development is expected to take place in the early to mid-2030s."

Hyundai Rotem is not the only company accelerating the development of MUM-T capabilities.

Meanwhile, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is focusing on developing technologies that connect fighter jets, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles into an integrated system as well.

“KAI has manned aircraft, unmanned aircraft and helicopters,” KAI Vice President Shin Dong-hak said. “What remains is developing the connectivity technology that enables them to interact effectively.”

With a distinguished ability to deliver aircraft quickly, KAI has so far exported 236 aircraft worth approximately 12.4 trillion won ($9.3 billion). Building on this competitiveness, the company aims to export around 700 aircraft to 40 countries by 2030.

With more than 1,200 K9 howitzers exported to 11 countries, Hanwha Aerospace has established itself as the world’s leading self-propelled howitzer supplier.

It now aims to expand its global user base to 30 countries with a plan to maintain a decisive technological edge.

The next-generation K9A2, equipped with a fully automated turret and automated ammunition handling, is expected to be completed this year, reducing the required crew size to three or fewer.

“The K9A3, which is being developed as a more advanced version with deployment targeted for the mid-2030s, is designed to achieve a range of 80 kilometers, about 20 kilometers farther than the current system,” said Heo Man-jung, head of Hanwha Aerospace’s artillery business unit. “We also plan to incorporate AI and autonomous driving technologies, ultimately enabling unmanned operation.”

为应对不断变化的战争形势，韩国国防企业正积极推进有人与无人协同作战系统的发展。现代Rotem公司正在研发新一代MUM-T坦克，该坦克配备更先进的传感器、基于人工智能的指挥和火控系统，并计划在2030年代初至中期实现编队级协同作战。韩国航空航天工业公司（KAI）正在开发战斗机、直升机和无人机之间的互联互通技术，而韩华航空航天公司则在推进K9榴弹炮的自动化和自主化发展。

现代Rotem公司于2008年完成了K2坦克的研发，目前正在研发下一代MUM-T坦克。

韩国航空工业公司（KAI）已出口236架飞机，价值约12.4万亿韩元，并计划到2030年向40个国家出口约700架飞机。

韩华航空航天公司已向 11 个国家出口了 1200 多门 K9 榴弹炮，并计划将其用户群扩大到 30 个国家。

K9A2 预计将于今年完成，配备全自动炮塔和自动弹药处理系统，将所需乘员人数减少到三人或更少。

K9A3 计划于 2030 年代中期部署，预期航程为 80 公里，并计划具备人工智能、自动驾驶和无人操作能力。

发布于2026年10月8日下午3:47（韩国标准时间）

为适应现代战争不断变化的性质，需要进行开发

8月28日，韩国陆军无人机和机器人战术演示部队在京畿道利川市举行成立仪式，并演示了使用无人机和机器人的战术。图片由韩国陆军提供。

为了应对现代战争性质的变化，韩国国防企业正在推进有人与无人协同作战（MU​​M-T）技术。

最近的战争表明，高风险作战行动倾向于使用无人系统，而有人系统则承担指挥控制以及从后方进行精确打击的任务。

现代Rotem公司于2008年完成了K2坦克的研制，引领了韩国陆军的现代化进程。如今，该公司正顺应这一趋势，研制下一代MUM-T坦克。

现代Rotem公司副总裁金明根（Kim Myeong-geun）周三在2026年韩国亚洲论坛上表示：“我们将利用各种传感器扩展战场态势感知能力，并增加人工智能（AI）功能，以实现基于AI的指挥和火力控制。我们的目标是通过与有人和无人系统以及编队级单位的协同作战来操作坦克。该系统的研发预计将在2030年代初中期完成。”

现代Rotem并不是唯一一家加速开发MUM-T能力的公司。

与此同时，韩国航空航天工业公司（KAI）也在致力于开发将战斗机、直升机和无人机连接成一个集成系统的技术。

“韩国航空工业公司拥有有人驾驶飞机、无人驾驶飞机和直升机，”韩国航空工业公司副总裁申东鹤表示，“现在需要开发的是能够使它们有效互动的互联技术。”

凭借卓越的快速交付能力，韩国航空工业公司（KAI）迄今已出口236架飞机，总价值约12.4万亿韩元（约合93亿美元）。基于这一竞争力，该公司计划到2030年向40个国家出口约700架飞机。

韩华航空航天公司已向 11 个国家出口了 1200 多门 K9 自行榴弹炮，成为世界领先的自行榴弹炮供应商。

该公司目前的目标是将其全球用户群扩展到 30 个国家，并计划保持绝对的技术优势。

下一代 K9A2 坦克配备全自动炮塔和自动弹药处理系统，预计将于今年完成，届时所需乘员人数将减少到三人或更少。

韩华航空航天公司火炮事业部负责人许万正表示：“K9A3是正在研发的更先进版本，计划于2030年代中期部署，其射程可达80公里，比现有系统远约20公里。我们还计划将其与人工智能和自动驾驶技术相结合，最终实现无人操作。”