HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said on the 21st that it signed a "next-generation submarine joint development contract" with the Peruvian Navy and SIMA Shipyard. This is Hyundai Heavy Industries' first submarine export.
Hyundai Heavy Industries signed the contract on the 19th (local time) at state-run SIMA Shipyard in Lima, Peru, together with the Peruvian Navy. Peru's key figures, including President Jose Jeri and Navy Commander Bravo de Rueda, attended the signing ceremony, along with Park Yong-yeol, head of the Naval and Special Ship Business Division at Hyundai Heavy Industries.
President Jose Jeri of Peru said, "This contract between SIMA Shipyard and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is a symbol of not only strengthening Peru's shipbuilding industry but also practical and strategic cooperation between Peru and Korea," adding, "Peru will push this project forward with strong resolve."
The contract follows a "letter of intent on joint development and joint construction of submarines" reached during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju in November. The project will focus on submarine design for 11 months starting in January next year. The research and development will proceed as "customized submarine construction," with Hyundai Heavy Industries incorporating the Peruvian side's operational requirements for a "next-generation submarine."
Unlike the waters around the Korean Peninsula, the Peruvian Navy's operational environment consists of the vast Pacific coastline and complex seabed topography with depths exceeding 3,000 meters. Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to reflect these factors to produce a Peru-specific design and apply the latest equipment packages, armaments, and communications systems.
Hyundai Heavy Industries expects the Peru submarine project to serve as a springboard for expanding exports of K-submarines in the future.
Joo Won-ho, president of Hyundai Heavy Industries, said, "This contract has opened a new chapter for Korea's submarine exports," adding, "Based on all the company's technology and know-how, we will develop the optimal submarine that reflects the Peruvian Navy's operational environment and demand."