Aju Business Daily

SEOUL -- A long-armed armored demining tank developed by Hyundai Rotem, a South Korean manufacturer of rolling stock, defense products and plant equipment, has received a battle suit from a defense ministry procurement agency.

Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of the Hyundai auto group, said Monday in a statement that the green light from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) would pave the way for the mass production and combat operation of its new mine clearing tank equipped with a large plow on its front.

The plow can excavate the ground, exposing any mines or turning them upside down to open a safe aisle, the company said, adding it is capable of disarming magnetic mines by launching a magnetic field.

From the left and right of the rear, marking rods can be fired and a separate excavating bucket or crusher can be installed on its top to destroy obstacles such as trenches and barriers and lift and transport heavy equipment and materials.

The development of South Korea's first mine destroying tank with excellent protection and survivability began in 2014. Hyundai Rotem said it would develop an unmanned remote control system to run the mine destroyer from a safety zone up to five kilometers away.