Naval & Special Ships

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
Naval & Special Ship Business Unit

As a leader of the
domestic and
international defense
industries,
we leverage
cutting-edge technology
to design and build
special ships.

Naval & Special Ship Business Unit Website

Naval &
Special Ships

We are strengthening the global reputation of Korea’s defense industry by pioneering overseas markets with state-of-the-art naval engineering technologies.

Naval & Special Ship Business Unit of HHI was designated Korea’s first marine defense contractor and successfully developed Korea’s first indigenous frigate, the ROKS Ulsan. In 2007, we became the world’s third shipbuilder to construct a 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer, earning global recognition for our top-tier technology. In 2024, we delivered the first 8,200-ton Batch-ll Aegis destroyer, 'Jeongjo the Great' to the Republic of Korea Navy on schedule. We are also leading the development of the Korea Destroyer next Generation (KDDX).

We were the first company outside Germany to successfully construct a 214-class submarine equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP), followed by the on-schedule delivery of a 3,000-ton class submarine. We are now focusing our capabilities on developing future-oriented naval assets such as manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) systems, unmanned platforms, and next-generation warships that will be game changers in naval warfare.

We began Korea’s naval vessel export journey with the delivery of an auxiliary ship to New Zealand in 1987. Since then, we have led the way in K-defense exports by developing export-standard models and carrying out major projects such as the Philippine Navy modernization program and Peru’s local shipbuilding initiative.

Moving forward, our Naval & Special Ship Business Unit will expand into overseas MRO services, providing total solutions “from shipbuilding to maintenance, repair, and operation.” We aim to establish a marine defense belt across the Indo-Pacific, building a global network for Korea’s marine defense industry.

Service Areas

R&D and Engineering
Production
MRO(Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul)
Supply of customized material packages

Main Products

Destroyer

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities A principal vessel of the naval task force with enhanced capabilities in anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-air warfare
Key Features Aegis combat system·ballistic missile defense system·KVLS-II·multifunction phased array radar·infra-red search and track (IRST)·electro optical tracking system (EOTS)·integrated sonar system·5-inch naval gun·multi ammunition soft-kill system (MASS)·torpedo acoustic countermeasures (TACM)·close-in weapon system (CIWS)·ship-to-ship/ship-to-air/ship-to-surface missile·anti-ship missile defense guided missile·long-range surface-to-air missile·long-range anti-submarine torpedo·lightweight torpedo

Frigate

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities A key asset that performs peacetime surveillance and patrol duties and deters enemy provocation through anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare capabilities
Key Features Combat system·KVLS-II·integrated sensor mast·infra-red search and track (IRST)·electro optical tracking system (EOTS)·integrated sonar system·5-inch naval gun·multi ammunition soft-kill system (MASS)·torpedo acoustic countermeasures (TACM)·close-in weapon system (CIWS)·ship-to-ship/ship-to-surface missile·anti-ship missile defense guided missile·long-range anti-submarine torpedo·lightweight torpedo

Submarine

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities Leveraging underwater stealth, it carries out anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, as well as surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes on high-value enemy targets.
Key Features Vertical launching system·sonar system·electronic warfare system·navigation radar·identification friend or foe (IFF)·heavyweight torpedo·naval mines·submarine-to-ship missile·air-independent propulsion (AIP) system

Patrol Vessel

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities Performs a wide range of maritime duties, including coastal surveillance and support for civilian maritime operations.
Key Features 40/20mm naval gun·fire monitor·meteorological observation equipment·rescue equipment·helicopter facilities·multi-purpose meeting room

Minelayer

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities Lays naval mines to blockade enemy ports and protect friendly harbors during wartime.
Key Features Minelaying system·76 mm naval gun·KVLS·lightweight torpedo·anti-ship missile defense guided missile·torpedo acoustic countermeasures (TACM)·hull-mounted sonar·multi ammunition soft-kill system (MASS)·electronic warfare equipment·electro optical tracking system (EOTS)

Landing Ship

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities Transports amphibious landing forces from the sea to designated areas and contributes to foreign policy objectives through overseas deployments, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations.
Key Features Detection and search radar·electro optical tracking system (EOTS)·multi ammunition soft-kill system (MASS)·electronic warfare system·40 mm naval gun·anti-ship missile defense guided missile·KVLS·landing troops·tanks·helicopters·landing craft·high-speed boats

Combat Support Ship

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities Performs logistical support duties for warships carrying out long-term maritime missions.
Key Features Navigation and detection radar·electronic warfare equipment·torpedo acoustic countermeasures (TACM)·close-in weapon system (CIWS)·multi ammunition soft-kill system (MASS)·fuel and ammunition supply

Training Ship

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities Conducts education and at-sea training, and provides medical support for mass casualties and troop transport in emergencies.
Key Features 76mm and 40mm naval guns·detection and search radar·electro optical tracking system (EOTS)·multi ammunition soft-kill system (MASS)·lightweight torpedo·classroom·seminar room·medical room

Combat support ship to New Zealand

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities 01 Logistical support for warships carrying out long-term maritime missions
Performance Capabilities 02 Compliant with Polar Code (PC6) for logistical support to Antarctic bases
Key Features Close-in weapon system (CIWS)·12.7mm remote controlled weapon station (RCWS)

Frigate, Philippines

Characteristics

Performance Capabilities Performs peacetime surveillance and patrol duties and deters enemy provocation through anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare capabilities.
Key Features Combat system·3D radar·tracking radar·electro optical tracking system (EOTS)·hull-mounted sonar·76mm naval gun·30mm secondary armament·ship-to-ship missile·short-range anti-ship missile defense guided missile·lightweight torpedo·electronic warfare system·decoy launcher system

Gallery

TENEBRIS concept image