Han Media: HD Hyundai Challenges to Build U.S. Warships for the First Time in South Korea

Signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Largest U.S. Shipbuilding Company to Jointly Bid for 13 Military Supply Ships

HD Hyundai, a South Korean shipbuilding company, is making its first attempt to build U.S. Navy vessels. HD Hyundai has partnered with "Huntington Ingalls," the largest shipbuilder in the U.S. defense sector, to participate in the bidding for the development of the next-generation military supply ships for the U.S. Navy. HD Hyundai announced on the 26th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the design and construction of merchant ships and warships with Huntington Ingalls in Gyeongju. The U.S. Navy plans to finalize the contractor by the end of this year, and after the design phase, the first construction will start in August 2027.

Previously, South Korean companies have undertaken maintenance, upkeep, and repair services for U.S. military supply ships, but they have never participated in the construction of warships. If the bid is successful, the "MASGA" (Make America's Shipbuilding Great Again) project will receive significant support.

If the bid is successful, it will open a new chapter in South Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation... giving "MASGA" wings

HD Hyundai and Huntington Ingalls plan to jointly develop and build about 13 next-generation military supply ships that the U.S. Navy plans to acquire. The main task of military supply ships is to replenish fuel and military supplies for warships. The U.S. Navy has released a tender announcement for the concept design of the next-generation military supply ships, aiming to introduce ships with better maneuverability and fuel efficiency than existing ones. The two companies plan to win the project by jointly developing these military supply ships.

Since 2023, the U.S. Navy has been advancing the development of the next-generation military supply ships and issued a tender announcement. However, due to no companies participating in the bidding and insufficient budget, it was postponed three times. After President Trump took office, the project received an initial budget of $100 million and saw a turning point. Recently, the U.S. Congress has also pushed for legislative revisions to allow the commissioning of warship construction projects to allied countries such as South Korea. Current observers believe that if HD Hyundai, which owns the world's largest single shipyard - Ulsan Shipyard - proves its capabilities by participating in the construction of military supply ships, it may, in the long term, open the way to participate in the construction of combat ships through cooperation with Huntington Ingalls.

HD Hyundai and Huntington Ingalls have also decided to further strengthen cooperation in all areas of the shipbuilding industry, based on this agreement. First, they will jointly invest in acquiring or building ship production facilities in the United States. HD Hyundai has decided to supply HD Hyundai's block modules and major materials to two local shipyards owned by the Huntington Ingalls Group. The two parties are also discussing the establishment of an engineering joint venture in the shipbuilding sector and plan to cooperate in the maintenance, warranty (MRO) of U.S. military and allied warships.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847107588002816/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.