South Korean media: Hanwha secures crucial shipbuilding order for the U.S. 'Gold Dome' missile defense system

Philadelphia Shipyard to undertake MRIV construction

The Philadelphia Shipyard, acquired by Hanwha Group in 2024, has won the contract to build maritime reconnaissance vessels (MRIVs) used for collecting data from U.S. military missile flight tests. These ships are an essential component of the new generation of homeland defense missile defense system known as "Gold Dome," promoted under the Donald Trump administration. In this project, deemed a top national security priority by the United States, South Korean shipyards have emerged as key players.

This order marks the first major contract secured by a Korean company in the United States following the launch of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Project MASGA. Previously, Korea-U.S. shipbuilding collaboration was limited to business memoranda (MOUs) or maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Now, with tangible U.S. ship orders materializing, expectations for future contracts have significantly increased.

Hanwha joins U.S. efforts to build next-generation domestic missile defense systems

On the 19th, Hanwha Group revealed that Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard has jointly secured the MRIV construction project from the U.S. Maritime Administration, a subsidiary of the Department of Transportation. The Philadelphia Shipyard will handle design and construction, while TOTE Services will manage procurement of raw materials and overall project oversight. Although Hanwha did not disclose the contract value, industry sources estimate the total scale for building three vessels at $1.5 billion (approximately KRW 2.24 trillion). The new MRIVs will be named "Golden Defender" and are scheduled for phased delivery starting in June 2030.

MRIVs serve as mobile maritime tracking stations used by the U.S. military during missile or interceptor test launches to monitor speed, altitude, trajectory, and collect relevant data. Though not combat vessels or logistical support ships, they play an indispensable role in the Gold Dome system, which requires extensive testing before completion. Currently, the U.S. military relies on aging vessels built between the 1960s and 1970s—this project aims to replace them.

Previously, the Philadelphia Shipyard had been constructing the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs). These vessels serve as training ships under normal circumstances and convert into disaster relief ships during emergencies. The yard has already secured orders for five ships, delivered three, and is currently constructing the remaining two. This track record helped build trust with the U.S. government, paving the way for the current MRIV contract. Since the Philadelphia Shipyard operates on U.S. soil with American personnel, it is exempt from the "Burns-Toliver Amendment," which prohibits foreign shipyards from building U.S. military vessels and their primary components.

A government official said: “The U.S. Maritime Administration awarding consecutive shipbuilding contracts indicates recognition of Hanwha’s shipbuilding platform quality. As these contracts increasingly move toward military-use vessels, they are expected to positively influence the advancement of MASGA going forward.”

From ‘design’ to completed vessels… MASGA holds great promise

Before Hanwha’s official announcement, the MRIV contract was first publicly disclosed by Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). On the 17th, during the naming ceremony for NSMV #4 at the Philadelphia Shipyard, Vought stated: “The ‘Golden Defender’ being constructed by Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard will support the development of America’s Gold Dome missile defense system.” Vought is one of the core figures behind U.S. shipbuilding revitalization policies, including MASGA. Since the White House’s dedicated organization for shipbuilding recovery is housed within OMB, Vought holds authority over coordinating related budgets, legislation, and regulation.

Other South Korean shipyards are also accelerating their expansion into the U.S. market. On the 19th, HD Hyundai announced it has established a strategic partnership with Keystone, a strong U.S.-based engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm, to jointly build ships and fabricate sections and modules locally. Unlike Hanwha, which chose to directly own a U.S. shipyard to secure government contracts, HD Hyundai—following partnerships with Huntington Ingalls Industries and Edison Spieker Offshore Group—is now teaming up with Keystone to enter the U.S. market through collaboration with local firms.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center will take place in Washington on the 23rd. In addition to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, representatives from various U.S. government agencies involved in shipbuilding revitalization and members of Congress are expected to attend in large numbers. South Korea’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Energy Kim Jung-gwan and industry stakeholders will also gather. The center will support the development of local networks and talent training for U.S. shipyards, and is anticipated to provide significant assistance to MASGA.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871204310076419/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.