South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries showed this scale model of the 4,000t HCX-25 future combat ship, combining various technologies for future adoption. (Photo: author)
HHI and Hanwha Ocean outline highly autonomous and unmanned-enabled designs as the ROKN explores force structure for the 2030s and beyond.
South Korea’s shipbuilding industry continues to develop ambitious naval concepts, with many of these next-generation surface and subsurface designs showcased at the recent MADEX 2025 exhibition, held in Busan last month, as manufacturers explore future deployment and export opportunities.
HHI’s HCX-25 concept combines autonomy, AI and new technologies
Shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) exhibited its 4,000t HCX-25 future combat ship, a concept combining various technologies for potential adoption perhaps a decade or two later. It has a naval cockpit, similar to that found on Fincantieri’s PPA, meaning the bridge crewing can reduce to just two navigators thanks to artificial
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