Seoul: South Korea plans to develop a homegrown combat system to search, detect, and remove naval mines underwater and install it on naval warships by 2029, the state arms procurement agency announced on Monday. According to Yonhap News Agency, under the agreement signed with defense firm Hanwha Systems, the Defense Acquisition Procurement Agency (DAPA) aims to develop this new weapons system and equip it on minesweeper hunters that are set to be deployed by the Navy in 2029. The envisioned combat system will comprise approximately 20 pieces of equipment, including a naval mine search sonar. It will process data collected through sonar, radar, and sensor systems to conduct necessary armament operations. The system will also utilize artificial intelligence to detect naval mines and operate unmanned surface vessels, thereby enabling a safer environment for troops undertaking operations, as stated by DAPA.