Hanwha Ocean has joined hands with a defense corporations that has set the U.S. Navy ship design standards, establishing a bridgehead to enter the U.S. naval shipbuilding market.
Hanwha Ocean said on the 21st (local time) in Maryland that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. defense contractor Leidos Gibbs & Cox for "strengthening shipbuilding capabilities for the U.S. and allied navies" at the Sea-Air-Space 2026 exhibition.
Through this agreement, the two companies agreed to: ▲ develop Hanwha Ocean ship designs optimized for U.S. Navy specifications ▲ jointly develop next-generation warships targeting the global market ▲ build a supply chain using production bases in the United States and Korea ▲ pursue ship designs optimized for efficient production and long-term maintenance and sustainment.
Gibbs & Cox, a core subsidiary of Leidos, has designed more than 70% of U.S. Navy surface combatants since World War II. It is currently responsible for the design and engineering of the Navy's mainstay Aegis destroyer (DDG-51), the next-generation frigate (FFG-62), the Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV), and the next-generation destroyer (DDG(X)). Leidos implements the Navy's operational requirements and technical specifications and is regarded as a key partner for pioneering the U.S. and global naval ship markets.
Mike Rickels, vice president of Leidos Gibbs & Cox, said, "Leidos prides itself on having been a trusted partner of the U.S. Navy for decades," and added, "By combining proven design expertise with world-class manufacturing capabilities through collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, we will be able to develop ships optimized for future changes."
Eo Seong-cheol, president of Hanwha Ocean, said, "This agreement will be an opportunity for Hanwha Ocean to secure a firm technological edge not only in the U.S. naval ship market but also in the global naval ship market," and added, "By working with Leidos, a leading U.S. defense corporations, we will accelerate our entry into the global maritime defense market and produce tangible results."
Meanwhile, Hanwha set up a 148㎡ standalone pavilion at Sea-Air-Space 2026 and, together with Hanwha Systems, showcased cutting-edge warships including: ▲ Ulsan-class frigate Batch III ▲ Jangbogo-III-class submarine ▲ Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MUSV) ▲ Extra-Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) ▲ Global Fast Sealift (GFS) ▲ future destroyers.