HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on the 30th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership with the Portuguese Navy at the Marine Defense Exhibition 2025 (MADEX).

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Portuguese Navy plan to continue their cooperative relationship as strategic partners not only in shipbuilding but also in various areas including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

On the 30th, Ju Won-ho, the Head of Special Ship Business at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Fernando Pires, the Chief of the Portuguese Navy Logistics Command, are taking a commemorative photo at the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX) 2025 held at BEXCO in Busan. /Courtesy of HD Hyundai.

The expected area of cooperation between the two parties is related to small submarines. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Portuguese Navy are set to jointly develop small submarine models in the future. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries unveiled three types of export models for submarines: 2,300 tons, 1,500 tons, and 800 tons at the MADEX exhibition.

It has also decided to collaborate with global defense companies both domestically and internationally. On the 28th, it signed a memorandum of understanding with POSCO to develop new materials to be applied to next-generation ship hulls. Agreements were also signed with the Italian defense company Leonardo and the French defense company Thales. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was reached regarding the development of a multipurpose unmanned power ship with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and LIG Nex1.

An official from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries noted, "Participating in MADEX is a strategic move to utilize it as an opportunity to strengthen competitiveness," adding, "Based on our superior ship technology, we plan to lead the global ship market through mutual complementarity with global defense companies."