South Korea chooses LIG Nex1 for reconnaissance USV
The SeaSword 2, one of LIG Nex1's uncrewed vessels. (Photo: LIG Nex1)
The uncrewed surface vessel was secured with a DAPA contract.
The South Korean Navy (ROKN) has contracted local shipbuilder LIG Nex1 to develop a new reconnaissance unmanned surface vehicle (USV) by 2027.
LIG Nex1 won the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) contract for the project to develop the reconnaissance USV, which is valued at 39.86 billion KRW (US$274 million).
The project is intended to enhance South Korea’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as its rapid response abilities for forward naval bases and key ports.
Related Articles
South Korean Destroyer fleet approved for US improvement programme
Hanwha Ocean to build FFX Batch-IV frigates for South Korea
LIG Nex1 will actually produce not one USV but two under the contract, each of 12 metres in length.
The project is a key part of developing the ROKN’s future integrated crewed-uncrewed combat system, the “Navy Sea GHOST”.
LIG Nex1 won the contract on the strength of its significant uncrewed systems experience – it has been developing the “Sea Sword” series of unmanned surface vehicles under civilian-military projects since 2015.
The new USVs are expected to become flagship defence export products for South Korea once they have been developed and deployed with the ROKN. The intention is that they will use a modular approach to weapons and detection systems, which will make them saleable in a broad range of customers with varying mission profile needs.
LIG Next 1 said it had plans to develop future functionality for the USVs that would include integration with low-earth-orbit commercial satellites, to allow the vessels to expand their operational range.
The announcement from the ROKN is the second significant marker in a week. Just days earlier, South Korea announced that Hanwha Ocean had been selected to build the first two of its new FFX Batch-IV frigates.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?]()
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
![Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment]()
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
![South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest]()
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
-
![Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline]()
Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.
