HD Hyundai Heavy, Development of Submarines Under 3000 Tons for Small and Medium Sizes Begins

Promoting Overseas Expansion of Submarines with New Vision in Defense Industry
Successful Application of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Submarines Differentiates

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has begun developing small and medium-sized submarines under 3,000 tons and will start export sales from next year.

Joo Won-ho, Vice President and Head of the Special Ship Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated at a meeting held on the 20th at the company’s headquarters in Ulsan, Gyeongnam, "K-defense is demonstrating global competitiveness in the ship domain as well, and we are establishing a new vision to achieve meaningful results."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has built a total of nine submarines, including six 1,800-ton Son Won-il-class submarines and one 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarine. However, Hanwha Ocean is currently leading in the 3,000-ton class with independent development. In response, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries views submarines under 3,000 tons as a blue ocean and plans to independently develop them.

Joo introduced that for submarine development, "We have signed a memorandum of understanding with technology cooperation partner companies and are continuing in-depth discussions on the direction of submarine development based on the accumulated submarine technology development capabilities."

Last month, during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and LIG Nex1 on mutual cooperation in education and training systems and combat systems for the development of future and export-type warships. They plan to discuss plans for education, training, and combat system construction for newly built ships, performance upgrades of existing ships, and the Navy’s maritime manned-unmanned complex combat system (Navy Sea GHOST) project.

Recently, they also succeeded in establishing a power supply system for submarines using lithium-ion batteries. This system has obtained international safety certification from the German Industrial Certification Association (TUV) and has continuously verified performance and safety for about eight years, including test runs, in the Land-Based Test Site (LBTS) that simulates submarine power supply systems on land.

Through lithium batteries, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries increased the submarine’s most critical performance, submerged endurance (time spent underwater), by 1.5 times and improved the maximum underwater speed endurance by more than three times.

The export market for small and medium-sized submarines is considering regions including Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Joo said, "We have received orders for frigates and patrol vessels from the Philippines and have received good evaluations, so we expect opportunities for submarine exports in Asia. There is demand for medium-sized submarines in the conflict-prone Middle East, and in South America, there is replacement demand depending on submarine retirement timing, so we will pursue sales in these regions."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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