7 Trillion Won 'Big Order' Emerges... Hyundai Heavy-Daewoo-Hanwha-LIG 'Fierce Clash'

Next-generation destroyer (KDDX), known as the 'Mini Aegis ship' (6000-ton class)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Soyeon] The selection project for the Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX) shipbuilding and combat system development, worth 7 trillion won, has been announced as an open bid, sparking intense 'tactical maneuvering' among companies in the related business sectors. The industry atmosphere has heated up for the first time in a while with the emergence of this 'big contract' that could instantly reverse the sluggish industrial economy mood.

According to related industries on the 7th, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) recently announced an open bid for the KDDX destroyer project. The KDDX is the first warship to be fully domestically produced in all components except the power source, from the hull to the combat system and armament. DAPA plans to build a total of six KDDX destroyers, with each ship expected to cost about 1 trillion won. It is one of the largest projects this year. Since this project involves the people's tax money, the military and defense companies share the common goal of producing a highly complete warship.

The design and construction of the ship are expected to be competed between Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. Although there is an atmosphere where mutual slander is not hesitated to win the contract, the two companies, being in a 'two families under one roof' situation, are engaging in subtle power struggles rather than open slander wars. Both companies are actively proposing bids based on their abundant shipbuilding know-how and enhanced smart functions.

A representative from Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering emphasized, "We will do our best to succeed in the contract based on excellent core personnel recruitment and abundant design and construction experience, contributing to autonomous national defense." Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering proposed a design that maximizes stealth performance by adopting a bow design similar to the U.S. Zumwalt-class and a compressed integrated mast, departing from traditional hull forms. A Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering official said, "We proposed a smart warship equipped with numerous smart technologies that can win in future battlefield environments characterized by hyper-connected network warfare," adding, "As the head of Korean destroyers, we will develop the next-generation destroyer, which will serve as a core force of the Navy's future strategy 'Navy Vision 2045,' into the best smart warship with a strong sense of responsibility."

Regarding the combat system development project, which will serve as the brain of the KDDX, Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1 are entering a big match. Hanwha Systems boasts accumulated experience in the ship combat system field. Over the past 30 years, Hanwha Systems has powered up combat systems for more than 80 vessels of the Korean Navy, including destroyers, frigates, high-speed boats, and submarines. LIG Nex1's strength lies in its development experience and core personnel in Sensor to Shooter systems, from radar to command and fire control systems. A Hanwha Systems official said, "We have been part of the history of the Republic of Korea Navy's combat systems and serve as the only domestic combat system supplier," adding, "Recently, we have developed the world's first fully digital multifunction radar, and based on this, we are confident that we can develop the world's best combat system and multifunction radar for the KDDX project."