HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Signs Submarine Joint Development Agreement with Peru's State-Owned Sima Shipyard

Participation in Latin America's Largest Defense Exhibition 'SITDEF'
Approval in Principle Granted for Medium-Sized Submarine 'HDS-1500'

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is set to target the Latin American submarine market with its independently developed 1,500-ton class submarine.

On April 28, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the joint development of a submarine with Peru's state-owned Sima Shipyard during the Peru International Defense Exhibition (SITDEF 2025), which began on the 24th (local time). This agreement follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for joint submarine development signed at APEC 2024 in Peru in November last year. It is part of the Peruvian Navy's project to replace its aging vessels.

Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the joint development of a submarine at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries exhibition booth during ‘SITDEF 2025’ held in Lima, Peru, on the 24th (local time). From left: Luis Silva, Director of Peru Sima Shipyard; Cesar Ernesto Collunje Pinto, Chief of Staff of the Peruvian Navy; Joo Wonho, Head of Special Ship Business at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Lee Sangbong, Executive Director of the Special Ship Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Provided by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

This agreement focuses on developing a customized submarine based on the technology of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Peru's maritime defense capabilities. The goal is to construct a 1,500-ton class medium-sized submarine based on HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' HDS-1500 model, which will replace the existing submarines.

At this exhibition, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, together with LIG Nex1, set up a 220-square-meter exhibition booth. Alongside the next-generation frigate ordered by the Peruvian Navy in April last year, the company also showcased the next-generation submarine currently being jointly developed with the Peruvian government. In addition, a promotional seminar was held for its independently developed export submarine, introducing major systems and solutions to be installed on the submarine.

The 'HDS-1500' submarine presented by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries at the exhibition has received Approval in Principle (AIP) for its basic design from DNV (Det Norske Veritas, Norwegian-German classification society). Last year, the company’s 2,300-ton class submarine 'HDS-2300' also received basic design approval from DNV. The company stated, "We have expanded the K-submarine export lineup in the global market."

During the exhibition, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National University of Engineering (UNI) in Lima, Peru, to promote education and research in the shipbuilding industry. Through this agreement, the company plans to strengthen research and development of advanced technologies in the shipbuilding and maritime defense sectors and pursue various collaborative projects, including talent cultivation.

Joo Wonho, Head of Special Ship Business at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said, "Based on our long-term partnership with the Peruvian Navy, we are expanding our cooperation from surface vessels to submarines. We are fully prepared to enter the Latin American market, with Peru as our base."