Hanwha Ocean KDDX Project, Full Launch for 2032 Lead Ship Deployment

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korean-style next-generation destroyer (KDDX) project, valued at 7.8 trillion won, has officially entered its main phase with the goal of deploying the lead ship by 2032.

Hanwha Ocean, as the priority negotiator for the KDDX detailed design and lead ship construction projects, signed a definitive contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on the 31st after completing negotiations regarding technology, conditions, pricing, and other factors.

The KDDX project is the first domestic Aegis-class warship construction initiative to secure six 7,000-ton destroyers using domestic technology. To complete the core of the Republic of Korea Navy's mobile fleet, the government plans to deploy six KDDX ships to the navy from 2032 through 2036.

Since its launch in May 2023, Hanwha Ocean has been accumulating and developing surface ship design and advanced construction capabilities through the order and construction of Ulsan-class Deployment-III ships No. 5 and No. 6, as well as Deployment-IV ships No. 1 and No. 2. In particular, with this KDDX project win, Hanwha Ocean is expected to further solidify its position as a "master of surface ships."

A Hanwha Ocean official, speaking via telephone to this newspaper, stated, "Hanwha Ocean will make every effort to ensure that the KDDX, which will lead the Republic of Korea Navy in the 2030s and become the K-SeaYang Bang-san-ui (CEO)model, establishes itself as the premier destroyer capable of leading the global defense market."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.