HD Hyundai Heavy eyes global expansion with Aegis destroyer technology

[Courtesy of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries]

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the developer of Aegis destroyers for South Korea’s Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system, is aiming to expand its export territory beyond Southeast Asia, eyeing markets in North America and Europe.

The company is leveraging its capability to independently design and build Aegis destroyers of over 7,000 tons—the third globally after the United States and Japan.

The company’s specialized shipbuilding dock, known as Dock 7, was recently bustling with activity for the assembly of functional blocks for a 3,200-ton frigate contracted by the Philippines on Monday.

Employees here are working tirelessly to meet the delivery timelines for two frigates and six 2,400-ton Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) ordered by the Philippine Navy.

Joo Won-ho, the head of Naval & Special Ship Business Unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, remarked on the extraordinary nature of a single entity securing contracts for escort vessels, frigates, and OPVs, emphasizing that this achievement underscored the acknowledgment of the company’s technical prowess and quality standards.

Located in Ulsan’s Dong District, the shipyard’s special vessel building area is abuzz with preparations for the departure of the Jeongjo the Great-class destroyer, or the Korean Navy’s 8,200-ton next-generation Aegis destroyer.

With a length of 170 meters and a width of 21 meters, this destroyer, constructed entirely using HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ proprietary technology, is set to undergo evaluation tests from Nov. 20 to 24 this year.

The Jeongjo the Great-class destroyer boasts top-tier performance within the Korean Navy’s arsenal. It showcases an enhanced detection and tracking capability for ballistic missiles, more than doubling the capability of the Sejong the Great-class destroyer through multifunction phased array radars, infrared detection and tracking equipment, and electronic optical tracking devices.

Furthermore, it is the first among Korean Navy vessels to be equipped with SM-6 long-range surface-to-air missiles, enhancing its ability to intercept ballistic missiles.

Beyond surface vessels, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is gearing up to enter the export market for submarines, equipped with a submarine construction facility within its special shipbuilding area.

Joo expressed plans to venture into the development of submarines in the 3,000-ton range and below, aiming to double the current revenue in the special ship sector to 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) by 2030.