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
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy]()
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
