Three Aegis Destroyers Gather at Once... Showcasing HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Warship Technology

Led Design of Sejong the Great-class and Jeongjo the Great-class
Reaffirming the Status of K-Defense in the Maritime Domain

Three Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers, core strategic assets of the Republic of Korea Navy, have gathered at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard. It was a symbolic scene in which the latest warships, representing the technological prowess of K-defense in the maritime domain, came together in one place.

The latest Aegis destroyer ships Nos. 1-3 ? Jeongjo Daewang, Dasan Jeong Yakyong, and Daeho Kim Jongseo ? gathered at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard. Provided by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on the 19th that three Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers - Jeongjo Daewang, Dasan Jeong Yakyong and Daeho Kim Jongseo - were assembled together at its Ulsan shipyard. The company designated the day as "Aegis Destroyer Day" and invited the commanding officers of each ship to hold an appreciation event.

Jeongjo Daewang, the first ship of the Jeongjo the Great class, was delivered to the Navy in 2024. The second ship, Dasan Jeong Yakyong, is undergoing sea trials and evaluations and is scheduled to be delivered at the end of this year. The third ship, Daeho Kim Jongseo, is currently under construction and is slated to be deployed as an operational asset by the end of 2027 after launching and test evaluations.

The Jeongjo the Great class is a next-generation Aegis destroyer measuring 170 meters in length, 21 meters in beam, and 8,200 tons in light displacement. It can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots and offers significantly enhanced target detection and tracking capabilities compared with the existing Sejong the Great class. Equipped with ballistic missile interception capabilities, it is regarded as a key asset of the "sea-based three-axis system."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' warship-building capabilities are attracting attention overseas as well. Last year, senior officials from the U.S. Navy visited Korea in succession, boarded Jeongjo Daewang and Dasan Jeong Yakyong, and inspected their technological sophistication and production systems.

At the event, Joo Wonho, President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, attended and held a meeting with each commanding officer to discuss ways to strengthen competitiveness in naval defense. President Joo said, "It is a meaningful scene to see three state-of-the-art Aegis destroyers, built with world-class technology, gathered in one place," adding, "This is a symbolic moment that showcases 50 years of achievements in our country's naval defense industry."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is the only domestic shipbuilder that has led the basic design of both the Sejong the Great-class and Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers. Starting with the development of the Ulsan in 1976, it built the entire series of Ulsan-class frigates and has since constructed more than 100 warships and special-purpose vessels. It also holds the record for the largest number of naval vessels exported from Korea.

The simultaneous gathering of the three Jeongjo the Great-class destroyers is seen as a scene that demonstrates both the modernization of the Korean Navy's capabilities and the technological competitiveness of K-defense in the maritime sector.