The company said in a regulatory filing that it was notified of the selection by the state-run Defense Acquisition Program Administration on 1 July. Hanwha Ocean beat rival HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to lead the programme.
The KDDX initiative is intended to deliver six next-generation destroyers using domestically developed technologies. The programme is one of South Korea’s major future naval acquisition efforts.
Hanwha Ocean said it had been chosen as the preferred bidder for the detailed design and construction of the lead ship. The company said the final contract will be signed after negotiations on the detailed terms of the agreement.
The company also said the contract value and project timeline for the lead ship have not yet been determined. These details will be finalised through consultations between the parties, with Hanwha Ocean expected to issue a further disclosure once they are confirmed.
DAPA aims to conclude the contract with Hanwha Ocean by the end of next month. The first KDDX vessel is scheduled to be delivered to the South Korean Navy by the end of 2032.
Procurement of the remaining five ships is expected to begin from late 2028. Deliveries of those vessels are targeted through 2036.
The envisioned KDDX ships are 6,000-tonne-class Aegis destroyers. They are expected to become one of the South Korean Navy’s core strategic assets.
The destroyers are expected to offer capabilities comparable to those of the 7,100-tonne King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers. Those ships are currently the Navy’s most powerful warships.
In similar programmes, the contractor awarded the lead ship often goes on to secure follow-on orders. The additional input said this makes the lead ship award significant for the wider six-ship programme.
A DAPA official said the agency would continue managing the project in accordance with applicable laws and procedures. The official also said DAPA would work to ensure the programme proceeds without delays to the planned delivery schedule.
