HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on the 26th that it will showcase an advanced export-type frigate and future combat vessels optimized for unmanned power operations for the first time at the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX) 2025.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries displays a future-oriented unmanned power ship at MADEX 2025. /Courtesy of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

MADEX is the largest domestic maritime defense industry exhibition hosted by the Korean Navy, held biennially since 1999. This year, it will take place for four days from the 28th at BEXCO in Haeundae District, Busan.

More than 150 corporations from 12 countries, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and LIG Nex1, are expected to participate, along with naval delegations from over 30 countries and more than 15,000 professional buyers.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will jointly operate a booth with LIG Nex1 showcasing next-generation stealth vessels. The booth covers an area of 218 square meters and is themed around domestic vessels, export vessels, and future vessels.

In the domestic vessels section, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries displayed its self-designed King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyer, along with the Korean-type next-generation destroyer (KDDX) currently under development.

In the export vessels section, it will unveil a 6,500-ton class offshore operation frigate developed to ensure export competitiveness, along with frigates exported to the Philippines and Peru.

In the future vessels section, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will present the evolved version of its future vessel concept, the 'HCX series,' including the 'HCX-25,' a multi-role unmanned control ship that will be a command ship based on artificial intelligence, along with a future unmanned power carrier and a series of combat unmanned surface vessels.

Additionally, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to sign cooperation agreements with global defense companies Leonardo and Thales during the exhibition to develop export vessels.

It will also sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and LIG Nex1 to develop a multi-purpose unmanned power carrier, and an MOU with POSCO for new material development applicable to next-generation vessel hulls, ultimately ramping up research and development for next-generation vessels.

On the 29th, it will also sign an MOU with the Portuguese Navy for joint development of small submarines to explore new export markets.

Joo Won-ho, head of the special ship business at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, noted, 'MADEX 2025 will be a stage proving HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' unparalleled ship technology,' stating, 'HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will continuously pursue the values of openness, convergence, and expansion to ensure that K-defenses can thrive and develop in the global market.'