HII and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have agreed to explore collaboration on defense and commercial shipbuilding projects. HII Executive Vice President Brian Blanchette and HHI’s Won-ho Joo signed the memorandum of understanding at the Sea Air Space 2025 expo in Maryland on Monday.
According to HII, the partnership seeks to enhance technological innovation and production efficiency while strengthening the United States and South Korea’s maritime industrial bases.
“Today’s agreement reflects our commitment to explore all opportunities to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity in support of national security,” Blanchette said. “By working with our shipbuilding allies and sharing best practices, we believe this MOU offers real potential to help accelerate delivery of quality ships.”
Won-ho Joo, chief executive of HHI’s naval and special ship business, described the partnership as a milestone, citing plans to share best practices and the potential to deliver greater value to customers.
The announcement follows HII’s recent selection to lead Australia’s Submarine Supplier Qualification program under the AUKUS trilateral security agreement. HII will manage AUSSQ through its Australian operations in partnership with H&B Defence, a joint venture with Babcock.