HD Hyundai forms shipbuilding alliance with Huntington Ingalls

Joo Won-ho, right, chief executive of the naval and special ship division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, poses with Brian Blanchette, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, after signing a memorandum of understanding during the 2025 Sea-Air-Space exposition in Washington, D.C., Monday (local time). Courtesy of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

HD Hyundai is accelerating its expansion into the U.S. market through a strategic shipbuilding partnership with Huntington Ingalls Industries, the largest defense shipbuilding company in the United States.

On Tuesday, HD Hyundai announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. company to improve shipbuilding productivity and foster advanced technological cooperation.

The signing ceremony took place at the Huntington Ingalls Industries booth during the 2025 Sea-Air-Space exposition in Washington. The event was attended by Joo Won-ho, chief executive of the naval and special ship division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Brian Blanchette, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding.

Huntington Ingalls Industries operates Ingalls Shipbuilding, the largest shipyard for surface combatants in the U.S., located in southern Mississippi. This shipyard is responsible for the construction of two-thirds of the U.S. Navy's recently ordered destroyers with Aegis weapons system installed, as well as the entire fleet of large amphibious assault ships and national security cutters.

Under the terms of the MOU, the two companies will combine their expertise in warship construction to optimize productivity. The collaboration will also share best practices to reduce construction costs and optimize delivery times.

This partnership further aims to advance the integration of process automation, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in developing digital shipyards. Additional goals include workforce strategy development and component outsourcing, with both parties exploring opportunities for future joint investment.

The agreement marks the first collaboration between leading shipbuilders from Korea and the U.S. with capabilities to construct advanced Aegis warships. It is expected to strengthen the shipbuilding alliance and bolster trust between the two nations.

"By collaborating with the representative shipbuilding companies of our allied nations, we aim to enhance the shipbuilding capacities and capabilities of both nations and, furthermore, to contribute to the strengthening of bilateral security cooperation,” Joo said.

Blanchette said the agreement marks a pivotal first step in enhancing shipbuilding capabilities through cooperation between allied nations.

“By combining our expertise, we will make a meaningful contribution to the construction of high-quality ships that will support global national security,” he added.