HD Hyundai will expand advanced warship research and development cooperation with Canada and move to support winning the Canada Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
HD Hyundai said on the 10th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of British Columbia (UBC) for "an advanced digital- and artificial intelligence-based autonomous ship operation system and next-generation warship structure development."
Under the agreement, HD Hyundai and UBC will push joint research and development in future shipbuilding, including advanced digital- and AI-based ship design, Digital Twin-based simulation, and autonomous navigation systems.
They will also embark on research and development in warships—such as next-generation destroyers, unmanned surface vessels, and submarines—considered core assets in future naval warfare. The development of eco-friendly advanced materials applicable to warships and commercial vessels is also included as a joint research subject.
Jang Gwang-pil, head of the Future Technology Research Institute at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, said, "Based on the world No. 1 competitiveness in shipbuilding technology, we have joined hands with the prestigious UBC in Canada to secure a 'K-defense' one-team victory," adding, "We will expand cooperation with Canada in advanced warship research and development going forward."
To win the Canadian submarine project, HD Hyundai mobilized support not only from its shipbuilding affiliates but also from energy and construction equipment affiliates. Vice Chairman Cho Seok of HD Hyundai met with Marty Deacon, chair of the Canadian Senate Standing Committee on National Security, defense and Veterans Affairs, at the Korea-Canada Energy and Resource Supply Chain Cooperation Forum on the 2nd. At the meeting, Cho explained the competitiveness of K-submarines and HD Hyundai's shipbuilding technology.
HD Hyundai Oilbank unveiled a plan to expand imports of Canadian crude oil worth several trillion won, and HD Construction Equipment said it intends to cooperate on the Canadian government's infrastructure development projects.