South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has officially signed a landmark main contract with Hanwha Ocean for the detailed design and lead ship construction of the Korean Next-Generation Destroyer (KDDX). Valued at approximately 838 billion won ($582 million) for the initial phase within a broader 7.8 trillion won ($5.4 billion program), the agreement marks the formal transition of the multi-year initiative from baseline design into active realization. The lead ship is scheduled for formal delivery to the Republic of Korea Navy by June 2032.
The KDDX program stands as a historic milestone for South Korea's defense sector, representing the nation's first fully indigenous Aegis-class destroyer project. Breaking away from previous reliance on foreign-sourced combat packages—such as the American Aegis architecture utilized on legacy King Sejong the Great-class vessels—the 7,000-ton stealth platform will integrate nine core domestically developed systems. These indigenous solutions span the advanced combat management system, sonar suite, integrated electric propulsion system, and an integrated mast housing dual-band S/X phased-array multi-function radars.
During this current phase, Hanwha Ocean will translate the completed basic design data into precise technical documentation and fabrication drawings. Crucially, the shipbuilder plans to leverage advanced modern engineering methodologies, including virtual model digital twin-based construction techniques, a high-bandwidth 5G-enabled wired and wireless shipboard communications network, and enhanced cybersecurity architectures designed for network-centric warfare.
To address evolving 2030s threat environments, the KDDX design will feature a dedicated multi-layered counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) defense suite and manned-unmanned composite combat teaming capabilities. These systems will allow the warship to coordinate effectively with autonomous surface and air assets, maximizing operational flexibility while significantly reducing required crew thresholds through advanced automation.
Ultimately, this milestone cements Hanwha Ocean’s leadership in advanced surface combatant manufacturing. With DAPA intending to sequence orders for the remaining five follow-on destroyers beginning in late 2028 ahead of a full fleet rollout by 2036, the KDDX class is set to become the formidable backbone of the ROK Navy’s strategic mobile fleet and a major contender in future international naval export markets.
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