A global arms race to secure unmanned robots using artificial intelligence (AI) is intensifying. China, which has solidified its 'anti-West' alliance with North Korea and Russia, showcased many of its latest unmanned systems during a victory day parade on 3rd, revealing its intention to dominate the future battlefield. The United States is also preparing to deploy mixed manned and unmanned systems in actual operations.
According to the defense industry on 5th, the U.S. Army has been working for years to utilize AI in actual combat. U.S. military media outlet Breaking Defense reported that the Army signed prototype contracts with three private companies on 27th of last month (local time) to introduce autonomous driving AI solutions in infantry support vehicles (ISV). This is seen as an evaluation of whether equipment using AI can be genuinely helpful in actual operations, interpreted as a kind of capability development process.
The U.S. military is also steadily attempting to introduce robotic combat vehicles (RCV). Attempts to deploy them were previously abandoned due to budget constraints, but the U.S. Army has recently renewed its push to introduce RCVs at a cost of $650,000 (about 10 million won) per unit. The Army requires functions such as remote control, reconnaissance, and surveillance.
In addition, the military is enhancing its own drone production capabilities. The U.S. Army has conducted training by producing one-way drones on the battlefield using 3D printing. It is also developing technologies for drones that have capabilities such as mine clearance, target identification, fire adjustment, and firepower concentration.
While the United States is trying to enhance the capabilities of unmanned equipment using AI, China has declared the actual deployment of cutting-edge unmanned weapon systems. China unveiled the stealth drone Feihang (FH)-97, which is reported to be capable of conducting stealthy surprise attacks using missiles without being detected by enemy radar.
During China's victory day parade, unmanned tanks and armored vehicles mounted on moving vehicles, as well as robotic dog squads, drew attention. The typical operational mode of the robotic dogs involves scanning the surrounding terrain precisely with thermal cameras and laser radars. They are expected to be deployed ahead of humans in rough terrains to identify targets and request fire support or attack with their own mounted rifles.
An industry official noted, "China's rapid pace of technology development could lead to a quicker actualization of capabilities."
In Korea, attempts are being made to introduce unmanned weapon systems using AI, but the pace is comparatively slow. The multipurpose unmanned vehicle introduction project has yet to be completed domestically. The multipurpose unmanned vehicle is expected to be useful for transporting casualties or supplies on the battlefield and is the first unmanned equipment the military intends to introduce.
This is a field where Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Aerospace are competing, but disagreements over testing evaluation criteria among companies have delayed the project by about a year compared to the original plan.
A former military official said, "Unmanned technology has become a benchmark for measuring military power," adding, "As domestic companies improve their technologies, Korea should accelerate the introduction of unmanned weapon systems."