[2025 MADEX] HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Unveils Export-Oriented Frigate for the First Time

Three Exhibition Booths: Domestic, Export, and Future Warships
Focus on Manned-Unmanned Integrated Systems Including the Future Warship 'HCX-25'

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has deployed its export-type frigate at the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX), which will be held at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan, for four days starting May 28. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is the only domestic shipbuilder that has overseen the basic design of the nation's most advanced existing Aegis destroyers (Sejong the Great-class and Jeongjo the Great-class). Beginning with the research and development of the Ulsan, Korea's first domestically produced combat ship in 1976, the company has built all three batches of the Ulsan-class frigates (Batch-I, II, and III).

A bird's-eye view of the future unmanned power ship (model name: HCX-23 Plus) exhibited by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries at 'MADEX 2025'. Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has organized its exhibition booth around three themes: domestic warships, export warships, and future warships. In the domestic warship section, the company is showcasing the Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyer, which it designed and built, as well as the Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX) currently under development, the lead ship of the Ulsan-class Batch-III, Chungnam, and its self-developed offshore patrol vessel, allowing visitors to see the strength of the Korean Navy at a glance.

In the export warship section, the company will present frigates exported to the Philippines and Peru, and for the first time unveil its self-developed, high-performance, 6,500-ton ocean-going frigate designed to enhance export competitiveness in the global market, including Saudi Arabia, drawing significant attention.

In the future section, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will highlight its leadership in the development of maritime manned-unmanned integrated systems by exhibiting the 'HCX-25', an evolved model of its future warship concept 'HCX Series', the AI-based manned-unmanned combined flagship (command ship) 'Mobile Unmanned Power Control Ship', the 'Future Unmanned Power Ship', and the 'Unmanned Surface Vehicle' (USV) series.

Joo Wonho, Head of Special Ship Business at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated, "At a time when interest in K-maritime defense is higher than ever, this exhibition will serve as a stage to demonstrate our company's unrivaled warship technology," and added, "We will continuously pursue the values of openness, convergence, and expansion so that K-maritime defense can achieve mutual growth and development in the global market."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries built the 4,400-ton-class destroyer (KDX-II) with stealth technology, and in 2007, became the third in the world to successfully design and build the 7,000-ton-class Aegis destroyer (KDX-III Batch-I) independently. The company has since established itself as the domestic leader in surface ships by constructing the upgraded Jeongjo the Great-class (KDX-III Batch-II) Aegis destroyers.

The main export products of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries are surface ships. In January, the company held a joint keel-laying ceremony at Peru's state-owned SIMA shipyard for four ships?three types of vessels (frigate, offshore patrol vessel, and landing ship) exported to Peru?and began construction. In March, the company successfully launched the second 3,200-ton Philippine patrol vessel, the 'Diego Silang'. The Philippine Navy modernization project is regarded as one of the successful cases of Korean warship exports, with a total of ten vessels delivered to the Philippines since 2013.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is implementing its 'Pan-Pacific Belt Vision' by establishing overseas bases in regions such as Peru, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and the United States through local partnerships, building local construction systems, and standardizing technology transfer packages, all based on advanced naval technologies.

Focusing on the Pan-Pacific Belt Vision, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is targeting the U.S. market. Last month, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Huntington Ingalls, the largest defense shipbuilder in the United States, for cooperation on shipbuilding productivity improvement and advanced shipbuilding technologies. Huntington Ingalls operates Ingalls Shipbuilding, the largest surface shipyard in the U.S., located in Mississippi, where it builds two-thirds of the recently ordered U.S. Navy Aegis destroyers, as well as all large amphibious ships and large patrol vessels.