[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] What is KDDX, for which Hyundai Heavy Industries secured the largest-ever contract?

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Hyundai Heavy Industries has virtually secured the 7 trillion won Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX) project. Following the domestic shipbuilding industry reclaiming the world's top spot by winning about 74% of global ship orders in July, Hyundai Heavy Industries is expected to solidify its position as the industry leader by also securing the largest domestic warship construction project.

According to military officials on the 12th, Hyundai Heavy Industries, along with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, submitted proposals last month to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the KDDX basic design project and underwent evaluation. It is reported that Hyundai Heavy Industries edged out Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering by a narrow margin. Within the military, it is anticipated that barring any unusual developments, Hyundai Heavy Industries will be announced as the preferred negotiation partner within this month.

DAPA plans to build a total of six KDDX ships. The KDDX development project aims to secure combat ships to be operated as the Navy's core force, intended to replace the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers deployed through the KDX-2 project. The KDDX is a 6,000-ton class vessel smaller than the Navy's Aegis destroyers (7,600-ton class) and is referred to as a "mini Aegis ship" capable of performing the basic missions of missile interception like the Aegis destroyers.

The armament is also powerful. It will be equipped with 48 vertical launch system (VLS) missile cells. Although fewer than the 129 cells on the Aegis destroyer Sejong the Great, it is evaluated to have superior performance due to its capability to carry missiles that can attack targets at sea, in the air, and on land. It is expected to be equipped with tactical surface-to-surface missiles, Hong Sang-eo anti-submarine missiles, Cheongung or L-SAM (long-range surface-to-air missile) upgraded surface-to-air missiles, Haeseong surface-to-surface missiles, and torpedoes.

Meanwhile, with the shipbuilder for the KDDX decided, defense companies Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1 are entering a fierce competition over the development project of the combat system, which will serve as the brain of the KDDX.

Hanwha Systems boasts accumulated experience in ship combat systems. Over the past 30 years, Hanwha Systems has powered up combat systems for more than 80 vessels of the Republic of Korea Navy, including destroyers, frigates, high-speed boats, and submarines. It is currently undertaking the development project of the combat management system for the Ulsan-class next-generation frigate Batch-III, as well as the integrated composite sensor mast combining a four-sided fixed multifunction phased array radar and infrared detection and tracking equipment.

LIG Nex1's strength lies in its development experience and core personnel in sensor-to-shooter systems, covering everything from radar to command and fire control systems. LIG Nex1 has developed various guided weapons mounted on naval vessels, shipborne search radars, sonar systems, ship electronic systems (SONATA), and shipborne multiband multifunction radios (TMMR). It also successfully completed the power-up of the integrated combat system for the Jangbogo-I performance improvement project.