Hanwha said it has already begun preparations at a shipyard in Philadelphia to build U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarines and other vessels.
Tom Anderson, president of the shipbuilding institutional sector at Hanwha Defense USA, said at a roundtable with Korean reporters held at Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. in Philadelphia on the 22nd (local time), "Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. holds key strengths to make joint production of nuclear-powered submarines a reality with Korea, the United States' strongest ally," adding this.
Anderson, who joined Hanwha Group in Oct., is a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral who served 34 years and was the program executive officer for ships. He currently oversees U.S. shipbuilding business and shipyard operations and develops future strategies at Hanwha Defense's U.S. subsidiary. With a background in U.S. Navy ship acquisition, maintenance, and modernization, he is expected to help expand orders for U.S. Navy vessels.
Anderson said Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. has already begun preparations to build nuclear-powered submarines, noting, "We are expanding our workforce, improving production efficiency, investing in facilities, and working on transferring best practices and technology from Korean shipyards." He added, "We are expanding our U.S. team by recruiting experts in designing, building, and operating Virginia-class submarines, particularly those with expertise in manufacturing modules or block components for submarine programs."
On when nuclear-powered submarine production might be possible, he said, "It largely depends on how the two governments (Korea and the United States) choose to cooperate going forward."
He also said, "Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. is not limited to a specific model and has the capability to build nuclear-powered submarines." A Hanwha official explained, "At Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc., we would build U.S. nuclear-powered submarines, and at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje site, we would build Korea's nuclear-powered submarines."
Meanwhile, Alex Wong, global chief strategy officer (CSO) at Hanwha Group, who also attended the roundtable, said that a consensus has formed in the U.S. Congress and administration that the United States should work with ally Korea to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity.
Wong served as deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser at the start of Donald Trump's second administration and was deputy special representative for North Korea policy at the State Department, working on U.S.-North Korea talks during Trump's first administration. He joined Hanwha in Sept.
Wong said, "The U.S. president has already made clear through executive orders a policy direction to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding," adding, "In that process, Philadelphia is seen as an important base, and there is an idea to build multiple types of ships, including nuclear-powered submarines, centered on Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc."
He added, "The United States has a very clear and strong policy direction on cooperation with allies in shipbuilding." He also said, "Hanwha has extensive experience and expertise in building diesel-electric submarines at Hanwha Ocean's Okpo Shipyard," adding, "If the two governments decide what type of submarines they want built at the Philly shipyard, Hanwha is fully prepared to respond accordingly."
He said, "This is a matter for governments to decide, but what is clear is that the U.S. government has a strong will to expand and strengthen the industrial base for nuclear-powered submarines," adding, "In particular, it is very interested in reinforcing the industrial base centered on Virginia-class submarine design."
On the spending plan for the $150 billion (about 217 trillion won) shipbuilding investment package Korea pledged to the United States, he said, "It has been only a few weeks since the joint statement was issued, and discussions are ongoing on the detailed structure and operation of the funds," adding, "What is clear is that both countries intend to disburse the funds appropriately, in line with the purpose of the agreement, as quickly as possible."
Earlier, President Trump announced his "Golden Fleet" initiative on the 22nd, saying the U.S. Navy's new frigates (escort ships) would be built in cooperation with Hanwha. Because the roundtable took place before Trump's announcement, there were no specific comments from Hanwha on the new frigate construction plan.
Responding to criticism that Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. has yet to obtain a license to build U.S. military vessels, David Kim, the shipyard's chief executive officer (CEO), said, "Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. is currently a 'dual use' shipyard," adding, "We are working with the relevant U.S. government agencies, and with Hanwha affiliates and related entities, to obtain the necessary approvals and certifications in a timely manner."