Hanwha Ocean has been chosen to lead detailed design and construction of South Korea’s first KDDX next-generation destroyer, the company disclosed on July 2, 2026, advancing a six-ship program aimed at strengthening the Republic of Korea Navy’s independent surface-combat capability. The 6,000-ton-class guided-missile destroyer is designed to expand air-defense, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and limited missile-defense capacity without relying solely on larger KDX-III Aegis warships. The lead ship is expected to enter service by the end of 2032, giving Seoul a domestically designed combatant able to operate across high-threat maritime missions. With five additional destroyers planned through 2036, KDDX will support South Korea’s wider naval modernization effort and improve fleet survivability, firepower, and regional deterrence. Read more... Hanwha Ocean will lead South Korea’s 7.8 trillion won KDDX program to build six 6,000-ton-class guided-missile destroyers with domestic sensors, we...