Hanwha Ocean and Leidos have partnered to design and develop next-generation ships for the United States Navy while also expanding shipbuilding capacity across allied industrial bases.
The collaboration focuses on adapting Hanwha’s ship designs to meet US Navy specifications, jointly developing advanced surface combatant concepts, and establishing a more distributed supply chain that connects shipbuilding capabilities in the US and South Korea.
Hanwha contributes its large-scale shipbuilding expertise, including experience in submarines and surface vessels, with its US-based Philly Shipyard expected to play an increasingly important role under the US–Korea shipbuilding framework. Meanwhile, Leidos brings advanced naval systems engineering and autonomy capabilities through its Gibbs & Cox division, which has been responsible for designing a significant portion of US Navy surface combatants since World War II.
This partnership aligns with a broader trend of increased collaboration within the US naval industrial base, as efforts intensify to boost production capacity and modernize fleet designs.
For example, in December 2025, General Dynamics partnered with South Korea’s DSEC and Samsung Heavy Industries to enhance cooperation in ship design, manufacturing automation, and related technologies for the US market.
Earlier, in October 2025, HII signed an agreement with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to collaborate on both commercial and military shipbuilding, including joint participation in US Navy auxiliary programs.
