The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has conducted its first naval mine clearance exercise using artificial intelligence and unmanned vessels, marking a significant step in its efforts to develop next-generation maritime operational capabilities.
The exercise was carried out in cooperation with South Korean defence company Hanwha Systems at a naval base in the southeastern coastal city of Busan. It involved the 730-tonne mine countermeasure vessel Ongjin, reconnaissance drones, two unmanned surface vessels and an autonomous underwater vehicle developed by Hanwha.
The exercise was based on a simulated scenario in which the Port of Busan had been blockaded with enemy naval mines, requiring a coordinated mine detection and clearance operation.
The Japanese Navy said the Hanwha unmanned surface vessels were not originally designed for mine countermeasure missions but operated as though they possessed such capabilities during the exercise. The vessels are expected to be upgraded in the future with dedicated mine clearance systems.
The trial was coordinated by an AI-powered virtual staff officer system, which analysed weather conditions and ocean currents before providing operational guidance to the human commander aboard the Ongjin and to the unmanned vessels participating in the exercise.
Using recommendations generated by the AI system, the Ongjin and the unmanned surface vessels designated search areas to locate simulated naval mines, while reconnaissance drones simultaneously assessed the operational environment surrounding the port.
According to the Republic of Korea Navy, the exercise demonstrated that integrating AI-supported decision-making with manned and unmanned operations could significantly enhance the effectiveness of future maritime missions.
