HD Hyundai Heavy Industries NAVAL & SPECIAL SHIP

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries selected for KSS-II Submarine Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Program

We are proud to announce that HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has been selected as the preferred bidder for the KSS-II Sohn Won-il–class (Type 214) submarine Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea.This marks the first MLU program on a submarine platform for HD HHI, building on our experience with the successful early delivery of ROKS Yoon Bonggil’s overhaul earlier this year.We are proud to collaborate with LIG Nex1, a proven leader in submarine system modernization, notably for the KSS-I Jangbogo-class upgrade. With the Republic of Korea Navy transitioning towards greater private-sector involvement in fleet sustainment, this program reinforces HD HHI’s growing role as a trusted partner in the defense MRO sector. We look forward to contributing to the Navy’s long-term operational readiness and technological edge.

2025-07-25

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Delivers Overhauled 214-Class Diesel Submarine ‘Yun Bong-Gil’ Ahead of Schedule

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Delivers Overhauled 214-Class Diesel Submarine ‘Yun Bong-Gil’ Ahead of ScheduleHD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) announced on the 20th that it has recently completed the overhaul of the 214-class diesel-electric submarine Yun Bong-Gil and delivered it early to the Republic of Korea Navy.The overhaul began on January 30, 2023. Despite the complexity of the work, the project was completed 35 days ahead of the contractual schedule, demonstrating HD HHI’s exceptional technical capabilities. The company successfully carried out over 1,620 maintenance tasks—including approximately 1,260 planned tasks and 360 unplanned additional repairs—marking the largest-scale overhaul project for a submarine in South Korea to date.Built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Yun Bong-Gil is the fifth 214-class submarine of the ROK Navy. Since its delivery in June 2016, it has played a vital role in strategic missions, including joint exercises with the U.S. Navy. The submarine is 65.3 meters long, 6.3 meters wide, and has a submerged displacement of 1,800 tons. It is equipped with an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, enabling up to two weeks of submerged operation, and it carries indigenously developed cruise missiles capable of striking enemy key facilities with precision.Joo Won-ho, Head of the Special Ship Business Unit at HD HHI, stated, “The early delivery of the overhauled Yun Bong-Gil following the on-time delivery of Shin Chae-Ho demonstrates our strong capabilities in both submarine construction and maintenance. We will continue to contribute to national security as a key partner in safeguarding the seas of the Republic of Korea.” Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is actively expanding its presence in the global submarine market by developing various export-oriented models, including a 1,500-ton submarine for Peru, as well as 2,300-ton and 800-ton class platforms.

2025-06-20

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Launches First Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Philippine Navy

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Launches First Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Philippine NavyThe first of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) ordered by the Philippine Navy in 2022 has been launched by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI).On the 12th, HD HHI announced that it held a launching ceremony on June 11 at its headquarters in Ulsan for the 2,400-ton RAJAH SULAYMAN, the lead ship in the class.This marks the second launching ceremony for a Philippine Navy export ship this year, following the launch of the second corvette, DIEGO SILANG, in March.RAJAH SULAYMAN will undergo sea trials and final outfitting before being delivered to the Philippine Navy in March next year. HD HHI plans to deliver the remaining five vessels sequentially by 2028.Previously, the Philippine government awarded HD HHI a total of 10 ships under its naval modernization plan: two frigates (2016), two corvettes (2021), and six OPVs (2022).The launching ceremony was attended by key Philippine military and government officials, including General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Philippine Ambassador to Korea; Vice Admiral Edwin Amadar, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff; and Assistant Secretary Augusto Gaite from the Department of National Defense.Joo Won-ho, Head of the Special Ship Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated: “Based on our strong mutual trust, we will continue to actively support the Philippine military’s modernization efforts as a core partner of Korea’s maritime defense industry.” General Romeo Brawner commented: “RAJAH SULAYMAN is the result of the close collaboration between the Philippines and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and a valuable example of the power of teamwork and shared vision. The launching, which coincides with our Independence Day on June 12, symbolizes the strong cooperation between our two nations.” Meanwhile, HD HHI participated in MADEX 2025, held in Busan last month, where it unveiled for the first time a 6,500-ton export-oriented multi-mission frigate for blue-water operations and signed a strategic partnership with the Portuguese Navy.

2025-06-12

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Expands Submarine Program and Strategic Cooperation in Latin America

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Expands Submarine Program and Strategic Cooperation in Latin AmericaHD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) is accelerating its entry into the Latin American submarine market with its independently developed submarine platform.From June 24 to 27, HD HHI participated in SITDEF 2025, Latin America’s largest defense exhibition, held in Lima, Peru. In collaboration with LIG Nex1, the company operated a 220-square-meter exhibition booth showcasing both the next-generation frigate ordered by the Peruvian Navy in April 2024 and the next-generation submarine currently under joint development with the Peruvian government.As part of the exhibition, HD HHI held a promotional seminar for its export-oriented submarine, the HDS-1500, attended by key defense officials including the Peruvian Minister of Defense, Chief of Naval Staff, and representatives from the Korean Navy and Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The seminar featured presentations on advanced onboard systems, with participation from LIG Nex1.On June 24, HD HHI signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Peru’s state-owned shipbuilder SIMA, marking a follow-up to the MOU signed during APEC 2024. The MOA outlines the joint development of a customized 1,500-ton-class submarine based on HD HHI’s proprietary HDS-1500 design, aimed at replacing Peru’s aging submarine fleet and enhancing its maritime defense capabilities.In a further move to strengthen long-term cooperation, HD HHI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 25 with the National University of Engineering (UNI) in Lima. The agreement supports education, training, and joint research in the shipbuilding and naval defense sectors, including human capital development in advanced technologies.That same day, HD HHI’s HDS-1500 submarine received Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV, a leading global classification society, for its design. This follows the 2023 AiP for the 2,300-ton HDS-2300, solidifying HD HHI’s expanding K-submarine export portfolio.Joo Won-ho, Head of the Special Ship Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, commented: “We are deepening our collaboration with the Peruvian Navy from surface vessels to submarines, and are fully prepared to use Peru as a strategic hub for expanding into the Latin American market.”

2025-04-24