HD Hyundai Unveils Export and Next-Generation Combat Ships for the First Time

K-Naval Defense Vision Unveiled at MADEX
Joint Development of Small Submarines with Portuguese Navy

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will unveil its future vision for targeting the global naval defense market at the '2025 International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX),' which will be held at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan, for four days starting May 28.

Perspective view of the future unmanned power ship (HCX-23 Plus) exhibited by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries at MADEX 2025. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on May 26 that it will set up a 218-square-meter exhibition hall at MADEX and, for the first time, showcase export-type frigates and next-generation combat ships optimized for unmanned power operations.

The company will organize its exhibition booth around three themes: domestic warships, export warships, and future warships. In the domestic warship section, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will display the King Jeongjo-class Aegis destroyer, which it designed and built, as well as the Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX) currently under development based on this model. Also featured will be the lead ship of the Ulsan-class Batch-III, the Chunnam, and the company’s self-developed offshore patrol vessel.

In the export warship section, the company will attract attention by unveiling, for the first time, a high-performance, high-specification 6,500-ton ocean-going frigate developed in-house to secure export competitiveness in the global market, including countries such as Saudi Arabia, alongside frigates exported to the Philippines and Peru.

In the future warship section, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will highlight its role as a leading company in the development of maritime manned-unmanned integrated systems by exhibiting the evolved 'HCX-25' from its 'HCX Series' of future warship concepts, an AI-based manned-unmanned integrated flagship (command ship) called the 'Mobile Unmanned Power Control Ship,' the 'Future Unmanned Power Ship,' and the 'Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV)' series. Last month, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was awarded a contract by the Navy for the conceptual design of a multipurpose unmanned power ship. Previously, it successfully completed the conceptual design for the large transport ship-II (CVX), which is equivalent to a light aircraft carrier, and the unmanned power command and control ship.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will jointly operate a booth shaped like a next-generation stealth warship with LIG Nex1 (079550), and will also form partnerships with global defense companies. The company will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for technological cooperation on the development of a multipurpose unmanned power ship with LIG Nex1 and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI, 047810), and another MOU with POSCO for the development of new materials to be applied to next-generation warship hulls. Additional MOUs will be signed with global defense firms such as Leonardo and Thales to strengthen global competitiveness in export warship development.

On the opening day, May 28, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will host a reception to welcome high-ranking military and defense officials from Korea and abroad who visit the exhibition. On May 29, the company plans to sign an MOU with the Portuguese Navy for the joint development of small submarines. Delegations from the navies of more than 30 countries, including the United States, are expected to visit the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries booth during the exhibition.

Meanwhile, HD Hyundai will hold a recruitment fair for military personnel on the second floor of BEXCO’s Exhibition Hall 1 for two days starting May 29. An HD Hyundai representative stated, "As a leading domestic defense company, we will do our best to find various ways to contribute to the military, including actively recruiting outstanding talent with military backgrounds who have dedicated themselves to the nation."

Joo Wonho, Head of the Special Ship Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said, "Interest in K-naval defense is higher than ever, and MADEX 2025 will serve as a stage to demonstrate HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' unrivaled warship technology. We will continuously pursue the values of openness, convergence, and expansion so that K-naval defense can coexist and develop in the global market."