South Korea Turns to Hydrogen Power for Its New Unmanned Ground Vehicle

26 February 2026

37 Less than a minute

Abone Ol

South Korea is exploring hydrogen-powered autonomy with Hyundai Rotem’s “Black Veil,” a stealthy unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for long-endurance missions in high-threat areas.

The platform combines four-wheel drive with a fully open cargo bed, offering flexibility for multiple mission roles — from frontline combat to logistics support.

Unlike battery-powered UGVs, hydrogen fuel cells trade simplicity for longer endurance and low-noise operation, sustaining steady power over extended missions while enabling rapid refueling.

South Korea’s K3 main battle tank, which also uses hydrogen power. Image: Hyundai Rotem

The vehicle is reportedly configurable with different payloads and equipment packages, giving commanders the ability to adapt it for both military and civilian applications.

Hyundai Rotem showcased Black Veil at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh.

Expanded Portfolio

Alongside Black Veil, the company presented mock-ups of its K2 main battle tank family and a 30-ton (27,200-kilogram) export variant of its wheeled armored vehicle.

The lineup also featured the HR-Sherpa, another UGV equipped with cutting-edge counter-drone technology.

Hyundai’s display is said to reflect the company’s emphasis on integrated manned-unmanned operations, layered air defense, and high-mobility maneuver warfare tailored for complex battlefields.

Abone Ol