HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been awarded a contract by the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Headquarters for the Combat Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Conceptual Design Project.
The project is poised to become the ROK Navy’s next focal initiative, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries at the helm of developing maritime vessels.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The USVs are expected to safeguard South Korea’s future maritime security, building on its Aegis destroyer construction capabilities.
Combat USVs are increasingly pivotal in modern maritime warfare, tasked with reconnaissance and frontline combat missions, forming the backbone of integrated crewed-uncrewed maritime systems.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries intends to commence the project with an initial meeting this month, aiming to finalise the concept design for these advanced vessels by December 2025.
The company’s strategy includes crafting a mission solution designed to meet the evolving demands of future battlefields, ensuring that the designed USVs surpass manned ships in terms of dependability and cost-effectiveness.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataHD Hyundai Heavy Industries Specialized Ship Business Division head Won-ho Joo said: “I am very honoured to have won an order for the conceptual design of a combat unmanned surface vehicle, which will be the Navy’s next core business.
“HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will present a blueprint for the era of combat unmanned surface vehicles that will lead manned-unmanned combined maritime power by incorporating unmanned, automated, and electrified technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI).”
Besides, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has also partnered with US-based AI defence firm Anduril Industries, through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in early April.
In March this year, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries celebrated the launch of the Philippine Navy’s second 3,200t corvette, the BRP Diego Silang, at its Ulsan headquarters.
The Philippine Navy expects the vessel to be fully commissioned by September 2025 following sea trials and the installation of final equipment.
