KDDX Destroyer News

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration officially signed the detailed design and lead-ship construction contract for the Korean Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) program with Hanwha Ocean on July 31, 2026. The lead-ship contract is worth KRW 837.9 billion (~$587 million) within a roughly KRW 7.8 trillion ($5.4 billion) six-ship program. The ~7,000-ton KDDX will be South Korea's first destroyer with a fully domestic combat system — including indigenous combat management, multifunction radar, and sonar — with the first vessel due for delivery to the ROK Navy by 2032. The signing formalizes Hanwha Ocean's June evaluation win over HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and moves the long-delayed program into the construction phase.

DAPA officially confirmed Hanwha Ocean as the preferred bidder for the KRW 7.8 trillion ($5.1B) KDDX next-generation destroyer program on July 2, after rejecting an objection filed by rival HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Hanwha Ocean edged out HD Hyundai by 0.58 points after a 1.2-point security penalty was applied to HD Hyundai for employees convicted of leaking KDDX research materials. DAPA aims to finalize negotiations and sign the contract for the six-ship program of 6,000-ton fully indigenous destroyers.

DAPA selected Hanwha Ocean as the preferred bidder for the KDDX next-generation destroyer program on June 11, 2026. The six-ship program covers 6,000–6,500-ton surface combatants valued at KRW 7.8 trillion ($5.1B) for air defense, ASW, strike, and escort. Hanwha Ocean scored 93.9542 vs HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' 93.3675. HD Hyundai led on technical score but received a 1.2-point security-related deduction. DAPA aims to complete negotiations and sign the contract in July 2026. This will be Korea's first fully indigenous destroyer.

DAPA opened bidding for the KDDX next-generation destroyer program, distributing RFPs to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean on March 26, 2026. The program covers six 6,000-ton class destroyers at ~KRW 7.04 trillion ($4.9B), with contractor selection targeted for July 2026. This will be Korea's first fully indigenous destroyer.